UC-NRLF 


B    3    im    3DM 


J.  LIBRARY 

OK   THi: 

University  of  California. 

OIF^T  OK 

Class 

' 

THE   ARMY  HORSE 


IX 


ACCIDENT  AND  DISEASE. 


003rPILEI)   BY 


ALEXANDER   PLUMMER.  D.  V.  S., 

Vr.TERIXARIAS  iTH  U.  S.  CaVALRY. 


RICHARD   H.  POWER.  V.  S., 

Vetkrixariax  Artillery  Corps. 
r.  S.  Army, 

FOR 

THE  INSTEUCTIOX  07  FAEEIERS  AXD  HOESESHOEES 

at 

THE  SCHOOL  OF  APPLICATION 

rov 

CAAALEY  AXD  FIELD  AW^S^sm^- .,. 

FORT  KILEY,/|fA3fS^ 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVKRNMEXT   PRINTIMJ    OFFICE. 

1903. 


t,<.^C^i     '--<ft.-vl^, 


THE   ARMY   HORSE 


IN 


ACCIDENT  AXD  DISEASE. 


(J03IPILED    BY 


ALEXANDER   PLUMMER,  D.  V.  S., 

Vetekixaeian  4th  U.  S.  Cavalry. 


RICHARD   H.  POWER,  V.  S., 

Veterixarian  Artillery  Corps?. 
r.  S.  Army. 

FOR 

THE  INSTRUCTION  OF  FAEEIERS  AND  HOESESHOERS 

AT 

THE  SCHOOL  OF  APPLICATION 

FOR 

CAVALRY  AND  FIELD  ARTILLERY. 
FORT  RILEY.  KANSAS. 


WASHINGTON: 

<iOVERNMENT    PHINTING    OFFICE. 

1903. 


^" 


\p 


^ 


n^ 


/ 


CONTEXTS. 


Chapter  I -Confokmation  and  Points,  and  External  Diseases. 

II —Stable  Management  of  the  Sick  and  In.juked.    Admin- 
istration OF  Medicines.    Weights  and  Measures. 
III.— Anatomy. 

lY.— \YouNDS,  Sprains,  Bruises,  and  Contusions. 
Y —Diseases  of  the  Respiratory  System  and  Influenza. 
YI.— Diseases  of  the  Digestive.  Urinary.  Xertous.  and  Lym- 
phatic Systems. 
YII.— Miscellaneous  Diseases. 
YIII.— Diseases  of  the  Skin  and  Eye. 
IX.— Diseases  of  the  Feet. 

X.— Diseases  of  Bone,  and  Detection  of  Lameness. 
XL— Medicines,  their  Actions  and  Uses. 

(3) 


CU-Berkeley 

117B43 


AUTHORITIES   OOXSUI.TED. 


Feiedbukgek    akd    Feohnek:     Patholof^y    .-nid    Theraiiexitics    of    tlie 

Domestic  Animals. 
Williams:  Princii>les  and  Practice  of  Veterinary  Medicine  and  Surgery. 
BuEEAU  OF  Animal  Ixdustey:  Special  Eeport  on  Diseases  r)f  the  Horse. 
Smith:  Veterinary  Hygiene. 
Mollee:  Operative  Veterinary  Surgery. 
Fleming:  Operative  Veterinary  Surgery. 
Liautaed:  Manual  of  Veterinary  Surgery. 
Wyman:  Diagnosis  of  Lameness  in  the  Horse. 
Steangeway:  Veterinary  Anatomy. 

(Jhauveau:  Comparative  Anatomy  of  Domesticated  Animals. 
Smith:  A  Manual  of  Veterinary  Physiology. 
Dun:  Veterinary  Medicines,  Their  Actions  and  Uses: 
Quitman:  Notes  on  Veterinary  Medicine. 

Neumann  :  Parasites  and  Parasitic  Diseases  of  the  Domesticated  Animals. 
Cadiot  :  A  Treatise  on  Veterinary  Therapeutics  of  the  Domestic  Animals. 
BuBEAU  OF  Animal  Industey:  Emergency  Report  on  Surra. 


THE  AEMY  HORSE  IN  ACCIDENT  ANI)  DISEASE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

CONFORM ATIOX  AXD   POINTS  AND   EXTERNAI^ 
DISEASES. 

CONFORMATION   AND  POINTS. 

The  forehead  should  be  broad  and  not  bulging.  The  eyes  should 
be  full,  clear,  and  prominent,  with  a  mild  expression, and  not  show 
ing  any  of  the  white.  The  muzzle  should  not  be  large,  as  a  coarse, 
large  muzzle  indicates  ill  breeding.  The  nostrils  should  be  large 
and  open.  The  face  should  be  straight.  The  lower  jaw  should 
have  ample  width  between  the  two  sides  for  the  development  and 
play  of  the  larjTix  (Adam's  apple)  and  windpipe;  and,  in  addi- 
tion, to  allow  the  head  to  be  nicely  bent  on  the  neck. 

The  ears  should  be  of  medium  size,  set  well  on  the  head;  they 
should  not  lop. 

The  parotid  and  submaxillary  regions  should  be  free  from 
large  glands  and  without  any  loose  skin  at  the  lower  part  of  the 
throat. 

The  neck  should  be  of  moderate  length,  clean,  and  not  too  nar- 
row at  a  point  just  in  rear  of  the  throat;  a  short,  thick  neck  does 
not  allow  of  free  movement  from  side  to  side,  and  a  long,  slim 
neck  is  apt  to  be  too  pliable.  The  point  of  the  shoulder  should  be 
well  developed,  and  the  point  of  the  elbow  should  not  be  turned 
in,  as  the  horse  is  very  apt  to  turn  his  toes  out.  The  opposite 
conformation  is  indicated  by  turned-in,  or  "  pigeon  toes." 

The  forearm  should  be  long  and  muscular;  the  knee  broad,  and 
when  looked  at  from  the  front  should  be  much  wider  than  the 
limb  above  and  below,  and  taper  off  backward  to  a  compara- 
tively thin  edge. 

The  leg  immediately  below  the  knee  should  be  as  large  as  any 
other  part,  and  not  "  tied  in,"  which  indicates  a  weakness  of  the 


s 

part.  A  bending-  of  the  knee  backward  is  called  a  •"  calf  knee,'" 
and  is  very  objectionable.  The  opposite  condition  is  known  as 
"'  knee  sprung." 

The  fetlock  joint  should  be  of  good  size  and  clean,  the  pasterns 
of  moderate  length,  and  form  an  angle  of  between  45  and  60 
degrees  with  the  cannon  bone. 

The  foot  should  be  of  moderate  size:  a  fiat  foot  or  one  too 
narrow  at  the  heels  is  objectionable. 

The  relative  proportions  of  the  shoulders  and  exact  shape 
desirable  vary  considerably  in  cavalry  and  artillery  horses. 
Thus,  when  speed  and  activity  are  essential,  as  in  the  cavalry 
horse,  the  shoulder  should  be  oblique  (sloping),  as  it  gives  elas- 
ticity to  the  gait  of  the  horse,  while  for  the  artillery  horse,  work- 
ing in  harness,  a  straight,  upright  shoulder  enables  the  pressure 
of  the  collar  to  be  more  easily  borne  and  allow^s  the  animal  to 
exert  his  strength  at  right  angles  to  his  long  axis. 

The  withers  should  not  be  thin  and  high,  as  this  conformation 
will  allow^  the  saddle  to  slip  too  far  forward  and  the  pommel  to 
rest  upon  the  withers.  The  bars  of  the  saddle  will  be  forced 
against  the  shoulder  blades,  causing  irritation  and  inflammation. 
The  withers  should  not  be  low^  or  thick,  as  the  saddle  is  then  apt 
to  pinch  them. 

The  chest  should  be  of  moderate  width  and  have  considerable 
depth,  as  a  narrow  chest  indicates  weakness,  and  a  wide,  heavy 
chest  is  suitable  for  heavy-draft  horses  only. 

The  capacity  of  the  lungs  is  marked  by  the  size  of  the  chest  at 
the  girth,  but  the  stamina  will  depend  upon  the  depth  of  the  back 
ribs.  The  barrel  should  not  be  broad  back  of  the  cinch,  as  it 
would  cause  the  cinch  to  slip  forward  and  chafe  the  body  just 
back  of  the  point  of  the  elbow.  The  opposite  conformation 
would  allow  the  saddle  and  cinch  to  slip  backward.  The  back 
should  be  short,  with  muscles  well  developed,  and  the  upper  lines 
of  the  back  should  bend  dowm  a  little  behind  the  withers  and 
then  swell  out  very  gently  to  the  junction  of  the  loins,  which  can 
hardly  be  too  broad  and  muscular. 

The  last  rib  should  be  placed  close  to  the  point  of  the  hip,  as 
this  is  an  indication  of  strength,  and  the  horse  is  more  easily  kept 
in  good  condition  than  one  having  the  opposite  conformation. 

A  slightly  arched  loin  is  essential  to  the  power  of  carrying- 
weight:  a  much  arched  or  "hog  back  "is  almost  sure  to  give 


9 

uneasy  action  from  its  want  of  elasticity.  The  hips  should  lie 
broad. 

The  quarters  and  gaskuis  should  be  broad.  The  muscles  of  the 
two  quarters  should  come  close  together  and  leave  no  hollow 
below  the  anus,  as  that  conformation  would  be  an  indication  of 
a  want  of  constitution. 

The  hock  should  be  of  good  size,  but  clean  and  flat,  and  with 
a  good  clean  point  standing  clear  of  the  joint.  The  cannon  bone 
should  be  short,  not  tied  in  below  the  hock,  and  the  line  from 
the  point  of  the  hock  to  the  back  part  of  the  fetlock  should  be 
vertical. 

The  hocks  should  stand  well  apart,  but  not  enough  to  give  the 
horse  the  appearance  of  being  "  bow-legged.'' 

"  Cow-hocked,"  so  called,  is  when  the  hocks  are  placed  together 
and  the  hind  feet  wide  apart,  with  the  toes  turned  out.  The  fet- 
lock should  not  bend  forward,  as  it  is  an  indication  of  weakness, 
and  is  known  as  "  cocked  ankle.'" 

The  pastern  and  feet  should  be  formed  to  correspond  with  those 
of  the  fore  extremity. 

The  croup  should  not  have  much  slope;  the  dock  should  be 
large  and  muscular;  the  tail  should  be  carried  firmly  and  well 
away  from  the  quarters. 

EXTERNAL   DISEASES. 

Under  this  heading  the  diseases  appearing  upon  the  outside  of 
the  body  are  considered:  they  are  commonly  regarded  as  blemishes 
or  defects  and  are  the  results  of  injuries  more  or  less  severe. 

They  may  be  enumerated  as  follows: 

1.  Diseases  of  bones. 

2.  Diseases  of  synovial  membranes. 

3.  Diseases  of  muscles,  tendons,  ligaments,  and  skin. 

4.  Diseases  of  the  foot. 

1.  Di.seases  of  hones. 

Bone  spavin. — Location:  Lower  and  inner  part  of  the  hock 
joint. 

Splints. — Location:  Usually  appearing  on  the  inner  side  be- 
tween the  large  and  small  metacarpal  bones. 

Sidebones  (ossification  of  lateral  cartilages). — Location:  Sides 
of  the  foot  just  above  the  coronet. 

Ringhorie.^-'Locdition:  Between  coronet  and  fetlock  joint. 


10 

^.  Diseases  of  synovial  membranes. 

Bog  spavin  (blood  spavin).— Location:  Front  part  of  hock 
joint. 

Thorongh  pin. — Location:  Upper  and  back  part  of  hock  joint. 

Wind  puffs  ( windfalls)  .—Location:  On  the  sides  of  the  tendons 
just  above  the  fetlock  joints. 

Other  bursal  enlargements  may  be  found  located  on  various 
parts  of  the  legs,  but  no  special  name  has  been  given  to  them. 

3.  Diseases  of  the  muscles,  tendons,  ligaments,  and  skin. 

Poll  evil. — Location:  In  the  region  of  the  poll. 

Fistulous  ivithers. — Location:  In  the  region  of  the  withers. 

Sweeny  (atrophy  or  wasting  of  the  muscles) . — Location:  Usually 
in  the  shoulders  or  the  hip. 

Broken  knees. — Location:  Front  part  of  the  kneejoint. 

Capped  elbow. — Location:  Point  of  the  elbow. 

Capped  hock. — Location:  Point  of  the  hock. 

Curb. — Location:  Lower  and  back  part  of  the  hock. 

Sprung  knees. — Location:  Knees. 

Cocked  ankles. — Location:  Fetlock  joints. 

Bowed  tendons. — Location:  Flexor  tendons  below  the  knees 
and  hock. 

Breakdown. — Location:  Sprain  of  the  suspensory  ligament. 

Saddle  galls. — Location:  On  the  saddle  bed. 

Cinch  galls. — Location:  On  the  parts  coming  in  contact  with 
the  cinch. 

Collar  galls. — Location:  On  the  parts  coming  in  contact  with 
the  collar. 

4.  Diseases  of  the  foot . 

Thrush.  — Location :  Frog. 

Canker. — Location:  Frog  and  sole. 

Chronic  laminitis. — Location:  Sensitive  laminae. 

Corn. — Location:  Between  the  wall  and  bar. 

Quarter  crack. — Location:  Quarters  of  the  hoof. 

Quittor. — Location:  Top  of  the  coronet. 

Contracted  heels. — Location:  Heels. 

Toe  cracks. — Location:  At  the  toe  of  the  hoof. 


11 


CHAPTER  II. 


STABI.T:  AIAXAGEMENT  OF  THE  SICK  AX1>  INJURED. 
ADMIN  I8TRATIOX  OF  MEDICIXES.  WEIGHTS  AXD 
MEASURES. 

CARE   OF  THE    SICK. 

The  sick  horse  should  be,  if  practicable,  immediately  removed 
to  a  large,  clean,  light  and  well- ventilated  box  stall,  free  from 
drafts  and  located  as  far  as  possible  from  other  horses.  Clean 
bedding  should  be  pro\dded,  and  the  stall  kept  free  from  manure 
and  moisture.  If  such  a  stall  can  not  be  pro\'ided  a  double  stall, 
with  the  kicking  bar  removed  and  ropes  or  bars  placed  across 
the  front  of  it,  will  answer  the  purpose. 

If  the  patient  is  suffeiTQg  from  a  febrile  disease  (fever)  during 
the  cold  season  of  the  year  paulins  or  horse  covers  can  be  himg 
up  in  such  a  manner  as  to  serve  as  a  protection  from  drafts, 
care  being  taken  to  allow  sufficient  air  to  enter  this  improvised 
box  staU.  Such  patients  must  be  clothed  according  to  the  season 
of  the  year,  the  blanket  drawn  well  forward  on  the  neck  and 
fastened  in  front,  the  legs  hand-rubbed  and  bandaged  with  red 
flannels.  These  should  be  changed  several  times  daily,  and  the 
legs  thoroughly  rubbed  to  stimulate  circulation. 

Horses  with  diseases  of  the  nervous  system  require  to  be  kept 
absolutely  quiet,  to  do  which  they  must  be  removed  as  far  as 
possible  from  all  noise.  It  is  preferable  that  only  one  man  be 
allowed  to  attend  to  their  wants,  as  a  change  of  attendants 
would  very  hkely  cause  excitement  and  thus  increase  the  severity 
of  the  disease.  Animals  suffering  from  debilitating  diseases 
should  be  tempted  with  and  fed  any  food  that  is  rich  in  nourish- 
ment and  easily  digested.  It  should  be  given  only  in  such  quan- 
tities as  the  animal  will  readily  eat,  and  any  portion  left  over, 
should  be  at  once  removed,  as  food  constantly  placed  before  a 
sick  animal  will  have  a  tendency  to  deprive  it  of  all  appetite. 
Food  that  is  wet,  such  as  bran  mashes  or  steamed  oats,  will  soon 
sour  in  warm  weather  and  will  get  cold  or  may  freeze  during  the 
winter;  if  eaten  in  these  conditions  it  may  cause  diarrhea, 
colic,  etc.  Feed  boxes,  water  buckets,  and  all  parts  of  the  stall 
must  be  kept  clean  and  free  from  odor.  The  hay  should  be 
clean  and  bright,  and  only  the  best  given  to  the  sick  animal. 


Pure  water  should  be  provided,  and  placed  in  such  a  position  as 
to  enable  the  animal  to  reach  it  without  difficulty;  a  sick  horse 
will  frequently  rinse  its  lips  and  mouth  with  water  if  given  the 
opportunity,  even  if  not  thirsty.  The  water  should  be  changed 
as  often  as  necessary  during  the  day  to  insure  a  pure  and  fresh 
supx)ly  at  all  times. 

A  horse  suffering  from  colic  requires  sufficient  space,  well 
bedded,  to  prevent  injuring  himself  by  rolling  during  a  spasm  of 
pain.  A  man  should  be  constantly  in  attendance,  as  there  is 
danger  of  the  animal  becoming  cast  and  unable  to  get  up  with- 
out  assistance. 

Undigested  matter  being  the  exciting  cause  in  almost  -all  cases 
of  colic,  food  should  be  withheld  for  about  twelve  hours  after 
all  pain  has  disappeared,  and  then  given  only  in  small  quantities 
during  the  next  twenty-four  hours,  after  which  the  ordinary 
ration  may  be  resumed.  A  few  swallows  of  pure  water  may  be 
given  at  short  intervals. 'special  care  being  taken  when  the  water 
is  very  cold. 

CARE  OF  THE  INJURED. 

If  the  horse  is  seriously  injured  and  stands  with  difficulty,  he 
should  be  placed  in  slings  to  partially  support  the  weight  of  the 
body.  The  slings  must  be  properly  adjusted,  fitting  closely 
behind  the  elbows  in  such  a  manner  as  to  support  the  weight  of 
the  body  on  the  chest  and  not  on  the  abdomen.  This  position  is 
maintained  by  the  use  of  the  breast  piece  and  breeching,  which 
prevent  the  shifting  of  the  sling.  A  single  stall,  having  a  level 
floor,  free  from  bedding,  is  more  suitable  than  one  allowing 
more  motion  to  the  animal. 

If  the  horse -is  but  slightly  injured,  there  is  no  necessity  of 
placing  him  in  slings.  An  ordinary  stall  with  a  level  floor  is  all 
that  is  required.  After  the  injury  has  been  dressed  he  should 
be  allowed  to  stand  without  being  disturbed.  If  very  lame,  and 
movement  is  painful,  the  quieter  he  is  kept  the  more  quickly  will 
recovery  take  place.  Absolute  rest  and  perfect  quietude  are  two 
very  essential  things,  and  when  secured  they  will  hasten  the 
process  of  recovery  without  inflicting  unnecessary  pain  upon  the 
animal.  In  some  surgical  cases  it  is  necessary  to  restrain  the 
animal  so  that  he  can  not  injure  himself  by  rubbing  or  biting 
the  affected  parts.     This  can  be  accomplished  by  tying  up  the 


i:3 

head,  the  appKcatiou  of  side  lines,  or  the  use  of  the  cradle. 
Bandages  may  be  applied  to  the  legs  of  horses  for  three  different 
jmrposes:  First,  to  give  support  to  the  blood  vessels  and  sjTiovlal 
bursae:  second,  as  a  vehicle  for  applying  cold  lotions;  and  third, 
for  drying  and  warming  the  legs. 

The  piil.«!e  is  the  beating  of  the  arteries,  and  is  usually  felt  at 
the  jaw  (the  submaxillary  artery) ,  or  on  the  inner  side  of  the  arm 
(the  brachial  artery) ,  and  is  an  important  guide  in  determining 
the  physical  condition  of  the  animal;  the  normal  pulsations  are 
about  40  per  minute.  It  is  best  taken  by  placing  the  fore  or 
middle  finger  transversely  on  the  artery.  The  slightest  excite- 
ment, when  the  horse  is  sick,  will  cause  an  alteration  in  the  pulse; 
therefore  the  animal  should  be  api^roached  very  quietly.  A 
strong  and  full  pulse  is  an  indication  of  health. 

A  full  and  bounding  pulse  denotes  the  first  stages  of  fever, 
afterwards  becoming  small  and  weak.  A  very  slov\'  jnilse  denotes 
disea^^e  or  injurj'  of  the  brain  or  spinal  cord.  An  imperceptible 
pulse  indicates  the  approach  of  death. 

At  rest  the  healthy  horse  breathes  from  13  to  15  times  per 
minute.  Difficulty  in  breathing  is  a  prominent  symptom  of  dis- 
ease of  the  respiratory  organs:  it  may  also  be  observed  in  some 
cases  of  flatulent  colic.  Abdominal  breathing  is  the  respiratory 
movement  performed  with  the  ribs  fixed  as  much  as  possible, 
owing  to  pain  or  mechanical  obstruction  in  the  chest,  and  is  a 
s\Tnptom  of  pleurisy  and  hydrothorax  (water  in  the  chest) . 

Irregular  breathing  is  that  condition  where  there  is  a  want  of 
harmonious  correspondence  between  the  inr-piratory  and  expira- 
tory movements,  and  is  observed  in  the  disease  commonly  known 
as  "  broken  wind  "  or  ''heaves."  The  inspiratory  movement  in 
this  affection  is  performed  quickly  and  with  a  jerky  effort,  while 
the  expiratory  movement  is  performed  slowly  and  -^^th  a  double 
action,  more  x>articularly  of  the  abdominal  muscles.  IrregTilar 
breathing  often  becomes  spasmodic  or  convulsive  during  the 
progress  of  the  disease. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  horse  in  those  internal  parts 
which  are  most  easily  accessible,  as  the  mouth  and  rectum,  may 
be  estimated  at  from  99  to  101'  F.  In  very  young  animals  the 
temp3rature  is  commonly  about  101%  but  in  very  old  ones  it  has 
been  known  to  be  as  low  as  96'  F.  The  external  parts  of  the 
body  become  lowered  in  temperature  according  to  their  distance 


14 

from  the  heart,  and  are  liable  to  much  variation  from  the  state 
of  the  surrounding  atmosphere. 

The  production  of  animal  heat  is  due  to  certain  chemical  and 
"sdtal  changes  which  are  continually  taking  place  in  the  body,  and 
consist  in  the  absorption  of  oxygen  by  the  capillaries  in  the  lungs, 
the  combination  of  that  oxygen  with  the  carbon  and  hydrogen 
derived  from  the  disintegration  of  animal  tissues,  and  from  cer- 
tain elements  of  the  food  which  have  not  been  converted  into 
tissue. 

This  combination  of  oxygen,  or  oxidation,  not  only  takes  place 
in  the  blood,  which  may  be  looked  upon  as  a  fluid  tissue,  but  in 
the  tissue  cells  also,  in  all  parts  of  the  body,  the  animal  heat 
being  maintained  by  the  natural  changes  which  are  essential  to 
a  healthy  condition. 

The  lungs  of  a  horse  will  contain  from  1  to  \%  cubic  feet  of 
air,  and  at  each  inspiration  about  250  cubic  inches  are  drawn 
through  the  trachea.  The  surface  of  the  lungs  to  which  this 
amount  of  air  is  exposed  is  calculated  to  be  equal  to  289  square 
feet.  Air,  then,  containing  impurities,  is  exposed  to  an  absorb- 
ent area  within  the  body  equal  to  five  and  a  half  times  the  sur- 
face of  the  skin.  A  horse  in  a  state  of  quiescence  gives  off  from 
2  to  3  cubic  feet  of  CO-  every  hour  from  the  lungs,  and  a  certain, 
though  an  undetermined,  portion  is  also  given  off  by  the  skin; 
but  taking  that  from  the  lungs  alone  it  would  amount  to  from 
48  to  72  cubic  feet  in  twenty-four  hours,  or,  if  converted  into  car- 
bon, would  give  us  a  solid  block  weighing  about  2%  pounds. 

The  air  from  marshes  contains  an  excess  of  carbonic  acid  gas 
and  a  diminished  proportion  of  oxygen,  consequently  horses 
should  not  be  kept  in  the  vicinity  of  a  marsh,  as  the  blood  would 
then  contain  an  excess  of  carbonic  acid  gas  (CO-)  and  an  insuffi- 
cient amount  of  oxygen;  it  would  be  imperfectly  purified;  the 
vitality  of  the  animal  would  be  lessened,  and  he  would  be  more 
susceptible  and  succumb  more  easily  to  any  disease  that  he  might 
contract. 

A  pure  air  will  contain  20.99  per  cent  of  oxygen;  an  average 
air  20.96  per  cent.  The  expired  air,  in  health,  in  100  parts  con- 
tains 19  instead  of  21  parts  of  oxygen,  and  1  to  2  per  cent,  instead 
of  0.03  to  0.04  per  cent,  of  carbonic  acid  gas,  which  pure  air  should 
contain. 


15 

One  thousand  six  hundred  cubic  feet  of  air  space  should  be 
pro\aded  for  each  horse  in  the  stable,  and  the  stables  be  so 
arranged  that  fresh  air  may  be  admitted  without  causing  drafts . 

EFFECTS   OF  AN   IMPURE    SUPPLY   OF   WATER. 

However  harmless  impure  water  may  have  been  to  animals  in  a 
wild  state,  the  more  we  subject  them  to  an  artificial  existence 
the  more  we  remove  them  from  the  immunity  they  may  have 
possessed  against  common  causes  of  disease  and  the  greater  lia- 
bility is  there  for  the  development  of  diseases  which  originally 
may  never  have  existed. 

ADMINISTRATION   OF    MEDICINES. 

Medicines  may  enter  the  body  through  any  of  the  following 
designated  channels:  First,  by  the  mouth;  second,  by  the  lungs 
and  upper  air  passages;  third,  by  the  skin;  fourth,  under  the 
skin  (hypodermically) ;  fifth,  by  the  rectum,  and  sixth,  by  intra- 
venous injection. 

1.  By  the  mouth. — Medicines  can  be  given  by  the  mouth  in  the 
form  of  powders,  balls,  and  drenches. 

2.  By  the  air  jmssages. — Medicines  are  administered  to  the 
lungs  and  upper  air  passages  by  inhalations  and  nasal  douches. 

3.  By  the  skin. — Care  must  be  taken  in  applying  some  medi- 
cines over  too  large  a  portion  of  the  body  at  any  one  time,  as 
poisoning  and  death  may  follow  from  too  rapid  absorption 
through  the  skin.  For  domestic  animals  medicines  are  to  be 
applied  to  the  skin  for  local  purposes  or  diseases  only. 

4.  Medicines  may  be  given  by  the  rectum  when  we  can  not 
give  or  have  them  retained  by  the  mouth;  when  we  want  local 
action;  to  destroy  the  small  worms  infesting  the  large  bowels; 
to  stimulate  the  peristaltic  motion  of  the  intestine  and  cause  an 
evacuation,  and  to  nourish  the  body. 

WEIGHTS  AND  MEASURES. 

Solid  measure. 
1  grain  (gr.). 

1  dram  (dr. ) 60  grains. 

1  ounce  (oz.) - 8  drams. 

1  pound  (lb. )   16  ounces. 


16 

Iji([ni(l  iiK'dsK i-e. 

I  ininini  (iiiiii.)- 

I  fluid  (Irain  (fl.  dr.)   60  ininiins. 

1  fluid  ounce  (fl.  oz.) . .  ^     8  fluid  drams. 

1  pint  (O.) 16  fluid  ounces. 

1  quart  (Oil. ) 82  fluid  ounces. 

1  gallon  (CI.)  4  quarts. 


CHAPTER  III. 
A:N^  ATOMY. 

The  skeleton  is  the  framework  for  the  support  of  the  softer 
structures,  and  is  composed  of  216  bones,  exclusive  of  the  teeth, 
of  various  sizes  and  forms. 

Flat  bones  are  found  covering  vital  organs,  i.  e.,  skull,  ribs, 
and  scapula;  long  bones  are  found  principally  in  the  extremities, 
for  the  support  of  the  body. 

The  spinal  column  is  composed  of  bones  of  very  irregular  shape, 
which  are  divided  into  five  groups  according  to  their  location, 
and  are  known  as  vertebrae.  Commencing  at  the  back  of  the 
head,  the  first  seven  are  called  the  cervical  vertebrae,  or  bones  of 
the  neck;  the  next  eighteen  are  called  the  dorsal  vertebrae,  form- 
ing the  main  part  of  the  back;  the  next  six  or  seven,  the  lumbar 
vertebrae,  form  the  loins;  the  croup  or  sacrum,  composed  of  five 
bones,  which  in  the  adult  animal  are  united  together  as  one  bone; 
and  following  this  are  found  the  coccyx  or  tail  bones,  numbering 
from  thirteen  to  twenty. 

The  ribs  are  eighteen  on  each  side,  attached  above  to  the  dorsal 
vertebrae  and  below,  the  first  eight  (true  ribs)  by  cartilage  to  the 
sternum  or  breastbone;  the  remaining  ten,  known  as  false  or 
floating  ribs,  are  attached  by  cartilage  to  one  another  and  indi- 
rectly to  the  sternum:  they  form  the  walls  of  the  chest  and  serve 
as  a  protection  for  the  heart,  lungs,  and  large  blood  vessels. 

The  skull,  containing  cavities  (or  chambers),  is  composed  of 
irregularly-shaped  flat  bones,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the 
cranium,  or  brainpan,  occupied  by  the  brain  and  communicat- 
ing with  the  bony  channel  passing  through  the  center  of  the 
cervical,  dorsal,  lumbar,  sacral,  and  sometimes  the  first  two  or 


17 

three  coccygeal  vertebrae.  These  ca\'ities  commniiicate  with  the 
brain  by  narrow  passages,  through  one  of  which  the  optic  nerve 
passes. 

On  each  side,  below  the  eye.  are  two  closed  ca\'ities  known  as 
the  superior  and  inferior  maxillary  sinuses:  in  the  lower  third  of 
th3  skull  are  found  the  nasal  chambers  extending  from  the  nos- 
trils backward  to  the  pharjTix,  and  separated  by  a  thin  partition 
of  bone  and  cartilage,  the  floor  of  these  cavities  forming  the 
roof  of  the  mouth.  From  the  orbital  fossae  the  skull  gradually 
becomes  narrower  and  terminates  a  short  distance  below  the 
nostrils  in  the  premaxilla,  which  contains  the  six  upper  incisor 
teetli.  which,  ^ith  the  corresponding  teeth  in  the  lower  jaw. 
form  the  anterior  boundary  of  the  mouth,  which  extends  back- 
ward to  the  pharynx.  On  the  posterior  upper  portion  of  this 
cavity  are  found  six  molar  teeth  on  each  side,  and  that  portion 
of  the  jaw  bat  ween  them  and  the  incisors  is  called  the  interdental 
space.  Situated  on  each  side  near  to  the  incisor  teeth  in  this 
space  are  found,  in  the  male,  the  tushes  or  canine  teeth. 

The  inferior  maxilla,  or  lower  jaw,  a  bone  whose  two  segments 
are  firmly  united  anteriorly,  divergas  backward  somewhat  in 
the  form  of  a  letter  V,  each  branch  terminating  superiorly  in  an 
articulated  surface  which  unites  it  to  the  skull  propar.  The 
diverging  branrhes  of  the  jaw.  injlude  a  space  appropriately 
called  the  maxillary  space.  Found  in  the  united  or  front  part  of 
this  bone  are  the  inferior  incisors,  and  in  the  male  the  canine 
teeth,  and  in  the  branches  the  inferior  molars  or  grinders,  which 
correspond  with  those  of  the  upper  jaw. 

The  space  between  the  molars  and  incisors  is  the  same  as  that 
in  the  upper  jaw. 

The  front  leg  is  composed  of  the  foUo^'ing-named  bones  and 
joints,  given  in  order  from  above  downward:  Scapula  and 
humerus,  forming  the  shoulder  joint;  humerus,  radius,  and 
ulna,  forming  the  elbow  joint:  radius,  carpus  (seven  or  eight 
S-nall  bones),  and  metacarpus,  forming  the  knee  joint;  metacar- 
pil,  OS  suffraginis,  and  two  sesamoids,  forming  the  fetlock  joint; 
03  suffraginis  and  os  coronae,  forming  the  pastern  joint:  os 
coronae,  os  padis,  and  os  na^-icularis,  forming  the  navicular  or 
coffin  joint. 

The  hind  leg  is  composed  of  the  following  bones:  The  pelvis, 
situated   underneath   the   sacrum   and   part  of    the    coccygeal 

5829 2 


18 

vertebrae,  and  formed  of  three  irregularly  shaped  bones  on  each 
side,  united  at  the  bottom,  and  forming  a  cavity  occupied  by  the 
bladder  and  the  rectum;  the  femur,  united  with  the  palvis, 
forms  the  hip  joint;  the  femur,  tibia,  and  patella  form  the  stifle 
joint:  the  tibia,  tarsus  (six  bones) ,  and  the  metatarsal  bones  form 
the  hock  joint;  the  metatarsal,  os  suffraginis,  and  two  sesamoids 
form  the  fetlock  joint;  below  this  the  bones  and  joints  are  the 
same  as  in  the  fore  leg. 

JOINTS   AND   LIGAMENTS. 

The  joints  are  all  formed  between  two  or  more  separate  bones, 
having  a  soft  elastic  substance  interposed,  whose  structure  varies 
with  the  amount  of  motion.  Where  this  is  extsnsive,  as  in  the 
joints  of  the  limbs,  the  adjacent  surfaces  are  covered  with  a 
peculiar  kind  of  cartilaga  arranged  in  a  thin  and  very  smooth 
layer  upon  them.  In  addition  to  this  prot33tion  against  friction 
and  vibration  the  bones  are  firmly  bound  together  by  strong 
bands  of  white,  fibrous,  inelastic  tissue  under  the  general  name 
of  ligaments.  A  lubricating  fluid  (called  synovia)  is  required  to 
reduce  the  amount  of  friction;  and  to  x^roduce  it,  as  well  as  to 
keep  it  within  proper  limits,  a  membrane  (synovial)  is  developed. 
In  the  neck  much  greatar  freedom  of  motion  is  required  to  admit 
of  lowering  the  head  in  grazing  and  the  raising  of  it  for  various 
purposes,  as  well  as  for  balancing  its  great  weight  at  all  times. 
Lateral  flexion  and  rotation  on  its  own  axis  are  also  necessitatsd 
for  the  iDurpose  of  directing  the  muzzle  right  or  left  of  the 
straight  line;  and  for  these  several  movements  the  following 
ligament  (ligamentum  nuchae)  is  provided: 

The  ligamentum  nuchae  is  formed  entirely  of  yellow,  elastic 
tissue,  and  occupies  the  angle  formed  posteriorly  by  the  anterior 
dorsal  spines  and  inferiorly  by  the  cervical  spinous  process,  thus 
separating  the  cervical  muscles  of  the  right  side  from  those  of 
the  left. 

Capsular  ligaments  are  fibrous  structures  inclosing  joints,  their 
use  being  to  form  cavities  around  them  inclosing  and  protecting 
the  synovial  or  lubricating  apparatus  inside. 

The  suspensory  ligament  should  be  carefully  studied  on 
account  of  the  numerous  accidents  to  which  it  is  liable.  It  is  a 
long,  strong  band  of  fibrous  tissue  arising  in  the  back  part  of 
the  lower  bones  of  the  carpus  (knee)  and  the  upper  part  of  the 


19 

metacarpus  (cannon  bone),  occupying  the  space  between  the 
splint  bones;  it  passes  down  immediately  behind  the  cannon 
bone,  Ijing  between  it  and  the  tendon  of  the  flexor  pedis  perfor- 
ans,  bifurcating  (dividing  into  two)  about  the  lower  third  of 
this  bone  and  becoming  attached  to  the  sesamoids,  whence  the 
parts  pass  forward  and  downward,  joining  the  tendon  of  the 
extensor  pedis  just  above  the  pastern  joint.  It  is  thin  and  com- 
paratively weak  toward  the  knee,  but  as  it  approaches  the  fetlock 
joint  it  almost  equals  the  back  tendons  (sinews)  in  substance, 
and  its  volume  and  wiriness  to  the  touch  may  be  taken  as  some 
test  of  the  power  of  any  particular  leg  to  resist  a  breakdown. 

The  suspensory  ligament  of  the  hind  leg  corresponds  in  every 
particular  with  that  of  the  fore  leg. 

The  calcaneo-cuboid  ligamant  stretches  from  the  posterior 
border  of  the  calcaneum  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  cuboid, 
ending  on  the  head  of  the  external  splint  bone.  A  sprain  of  this 
ligament  is  known  as  a  "  curb. " 

MUSCLES   AND    TENDONS. 

The  muscles  are  divided  into  voluntary  and  involuntary  mus- 
cles; the  former  being  under  the  direct  control  of  the  will,  as, 
for  example,  the  miiscles  of  the  neck,  legs,  tail,  etc.;  and  the  lat- 
ter acting  in;l3p3n:l3ntly  of  the  animal's  will,  as,  for  example, 
the  heart,  intestines,  etc. 

The  muscles  form  about  one-half  of  the  entire  weight  of  the 
body.  With  regard  to  their  form  they  are  di^dded  into  long,  wide, 
and  short.  Long  muscles  are  generally  found  in  the  limbs;  wide 
muscles  are  stretched  beneath  the  skin  or  around  the  great  cav- 
ities of  the  trunk,  and  the  short  muscles  are  found  chiefly  around 
the  short  bones. 

Tan  ions  are  white,  round  or  flattened  cords  affixed  to  the 
extremities  of  the  long  muscles.  They  stretch  or  contract  the 
muscles,  but  do  not  themselves  change  form. 

The  wide  muscles  are  provided  with  broad  bands  of  fibrous 
tissue,  by  means  of  which  they  are  attached  to  other  structures. 

Extensor  muscles  (extensors)  have  the  power  of  extending  one 
bone  upon  another  and  the  flexor  muscles  (flexors)  have  the 
opposite  action. 

The  extensor  pedis  is  the  principal  extensor  of  the  fore  leg;  it 
originates  at  the  inferior  extremity  of  the  humerus,  and  its  fleshy 


20 

portion  eontinnes  to  the  lower  third  of  the  radium;  there  it 
becomes  tendinous,  and  passing  down  over  the  knee  continues 
along  the  front  of  the  leg  and  becomes  attached  to  the  upper  and 
front  part  of  the  os  2)edis.     Action,  to  extend  the  leg. 

The  flexor  pedis  perforatus  originates  from  the  inner  and  lower 
part  of  the  humerus;  it  passes  down  the  back  part  of  the  leg, 
becoming  tendinous  just  above  the  carpus;  below  the  pastern  it 
bifurcates,  forming  a  ring  for  the  passage  of  the  tendon  of  the 
perforans  and  becomes  attached  to  the  sides  of  the  os  coronce. 
Action,  to  flex  the  lower  part  of  the  leg. 

The  flexor  pedis  perforans  originates  with  the  perforatus;  its 
fleshy  portion  passes  down  and  is  attached  to  the  back  x)art  of 
the  radius;  its  tendinous  portion,  beginning  at  the  knee,  passes 
down  the  leg  between  the  cannon  bone  and  the  tendon  of  the 
perforatus,  over  the  back  of  the  fetlock  and  through  the  arch 
formed  by  the  division  of  the  tendon  of  the  perforatJis,  and  is 
attached  to  the  under  surface  of  the  os  pedis.  Action,  to  flex 
the  leg. 

The  extensor  p)edis  of  the  hind  leg  originates  at  the  lower  and 
front  part  of  the  femur;  its  fleshy  portion  extends  downward 
along  the  front  surface  of  the  tibia  to  the  hock,  w^here  it  becomes 
tendinous;  passing  thence  down  the  front  of  the  leg  it  is  attached 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  extensor  pxedis  of  the  front  leg. 
Action,  to  extend  the  leg. 

Hh.Q  flexor  metatarsi  is  divided  into  two  portions — a  muscular 
and  a  tendinous.  The  tendinous  part  is  a  strong  pearly  white 
cord,  situated  between  the  muscular  portion  and  the  extensor 
pedis.  It  commences  at  the  inferior  extremity  of  the  femur, 
finally  terminating  in  two  branches — a  large  one  inserted  in  front 
of  the  superior  extremity  of  the  cannon  bone  and  the  other  and 
narrower  one  deviating  outward  to  reach  the  anterior  surface  of 
the  cuboid  bone.  The  fleshy  portion  originates  on  the  anterior 
face  of  the  tibia  and  is  inserted  by  two  tendons,  one  in  the  head 
of  the  large  metatarsal  bone,  the  other  in  the  small  cuneiform  on 
the  inner  side  of  the  hock.     Action,  to  flex  the  hock. 

The  flexor  pedis  pjerforatus  of  the  hind  leg  originates  at  the 
posterior  lower  part  of  the  femur.  Its  fleshy  portion  extends 
about  halfway  down  the  tibia,  then,  becoming  tendinous,  it 
passes  over  the  point  of  the  hock,  being  continued  down  the  back 


21 

of  the  leg,  and  is  attached  in  the  same  manner  as  th.e  r)erforatus 
is  on  the  front  leg.     Action,  to  flex  the  hind  leg. 

The  Jie.vor  pedis  perforans  of  the  hind  leg  originates  at  the 
uppar  and  back  portion  of  the  tibia.  Above  the  hock  it  becomes 
tendinous  and  passes  down  over  the  inner  and  back  side  of  the 
hock,  and  is  attached  to  the  os  pedis  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
perforaus  of  the  front  limb.  Action,  to  flex  the  joints  below 
thi  hock. 

The  po»?^/c^f/?^s■  carnosus  (fly  shaker)  is  a  flat  muscle  situated 
on  the  inner  surface  of  the  skin,  covering  most  of  the  neck,  sides 
of  the  chest,  and  belly.     Action,  to  shake  the  skin. 

The  principal  muscles  of  the  back  and  loins  are  the  longissimus 
dorsi,  gluteus  e.vteriius,  gluteus  )na.riuius,  and  gluteus  iiitenius. 

The  longissimi  dorsi  is  situated  on  the  superior  part  of  the  back 
and  loins,  and  is  the  largest  and  most  powerful  muscle  in  the 
body,  occupj^ng  the  space  on  either  side  of  the  dorsal  and  lumbar 
spines.  It  is  broad  and  fleshy  at  its  origin  in  the  loins  and 
becomes  narrower  as  it  proceeds  forward.  It  is  attached  to  the 
anterior  part  of  the  peh^s  (ilium),  first  two  bones  of  the  sacrum, 
all  of  the  lumbar  and  dorsal  vertebrae,  the  external  surface  of  the 
last  fifteen  or  sixteen  ribs,  and  to  the  last  three  or  four  cervical 
vertebrae.  Action  :  it  is  brought  i30werf  ully  into  play  by  kicking 
and  rearing,  by  elevation  of  the  fore  or  hind  quarters,  according 
to  whether  the  fore  or  hind  limbs  are  fixed.  Acting  singly,  the 
result  is  lateral  flexion  of  the  back  and  loins. 

Gluteus  extenius  is  a  V-shaped  muscle  situated  on  the  external 
part  of  the  croup.  It  originates  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  pelvis 
and  at  the  second  and  third  sacral  spines.  Insertion,  to  the  upper 
and  outer  part  of  the  femur.     Action,  to  draw  the  thigh  outward. 

Gluteus  ma.vimus  is  a  very  large  muscle,  originating  in  the 
lumbar  region :  it  is  attached  to  the  pelvis  and  sacrum  and  is 
inserted  on  the  upper  and  outer  portion  of  the  femur.  Action, 
to  extend  the  femur  on  the  pelvis,  and  when  the  posterior  limbs 
are  fijxed,  to  assist  in  rearing. 

Gluteus  internus  is  situated  underneath  the  gluteus  maximus 
and  above  the  hip  joint.  It  originates  from  the  shaft  of  the 
ilium  (anterior  bone  of  the  pelvis),  and  is  inserted  by  a  tendon 
to  the  superior  part  of  the  femur.  Action,  to  draw  the  leg  out- 
ward and  rotate  it  inward. 


22 


THE   RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM. 


The  organs  of  respiration  are  the  nostrils,  nasal  chambers, 
pharynx,  hiri/nx,  trachea,  broncJtu,  bronchial  tubes,  and  air 
cells,  which  are  all  lined,  except  the  air  cells,  with  mucous  mem- 
brane. The  nostrils  are  two,  right  and  left,  oblong  openings 
situated  in  the  anterior  part  of  the  face,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  nasal  chambers.  The  nasal  chambers  extend  from  the 
nostrils  to  the  pharynx  and  are  separated  from  each  other  by  the 
cartilaginous  aeptum  nasi;  each  chamber  is  divided  by  the  tur- 
binated bone  into  three  passages,  and  all  are  lined  with  a  deli- 
cats,  pale  rose-colored  membrane,  the  Schneiderian  membrane, 
which  is  continuous  with  the  skin  of  the  nostrils. 

The  pharynx  is  a  muscular,  membranous  cavity,  common  to 
the  digestive  and  respiratory  canals,  somewhat  cylindrical  in 
form,  and  extending  backward  to  the  larynx  and  the  esophagus. 

The  larynx  is  a  complex  musculo-cartilaginous  valve,  situated 
at  the  anterior  part  of  the  trachea  or  windpipe.  It  gives  passage 
to  air  and  at  the  same  time  is  the  organ  of  voice.  The  anterior 
extremity  opens  into  the  j^^^cirynx  and  the  posterior  into  the 
trachea;  it  lies  in  the  posterior  part  of  the  maxillary  space  and 
is  commonly  known  as  "Adam's  apple." 

The  trachea,  or  windpiii8,is  a  cylindrical,  flexible  tube  consist- 
ing of  a  series  of  incomplete  cartilaginous  rings,  numbering  from 
forty  to  fifty,  according  to  the  length  of  the  neck.  It  succeeds 
the  larynx,  runs  down  the  neck,  enters  the  thorax  or  chest,  and 
terminates  at  the  base  of  the  heart  where  it  branches  into  the 
right  and  left  bronchii,  which  enter  the  lungs  and  subdivide  into 
branches  termed  bronchial  tubes.  These,  becoming  gradually 
smaller  as  they  divide,  finally  terminate  in  air  cells.  The  entire 
ramification,  when  isolated,  has  the  appearance  of  a  tree,  the 
trachea  being  the  trunk,  the  hronchii  and  bronchial  tubes  the 
branches,  and  the  air  cells  the  leaves.  These  structures  are 
accompanied  throughout  by  arteries,  veins,  and  nerves. 

The  thorax,  or  chest,  is  formed  by  the  ribs,  sternum,  and  bodies 
of  the  dorsal  vertebrae,  the  intercostal  muscles,  and  the  dia- 
phragm. It  contains  the  lungs,  heart,  large  blood  vessels,  the 
trachea,  esophagus,  and  a  number  of  nerves.  The  thorax  is 
lined  by  two  serous  membranes,  the  right  and  left  pleura,  each 
pleura  lining  one-half  the  thorax  and  enveloping  the  structures 
contained  therein. 


23 

The  hmgs,  the  essential  organs  of  respiration,  are  spongy 
organs  of  a  conical  shape,  and  are  situated  in  the  thoracic  cavity, 
being  very  light  and  porons.     (Healthy  lungs  float  in  water.) 

The  diaphragm  or  midriff  is  the  muscular  partition  which 
separates  the  thorax  from  the  abdomen. 

DIGESTIVE  ORGANS. 

The  digestive  organs  consist  of  the  alimentary  canal  and  its 
accessories,  by  which  the  alimentary  matter  (food)  is  subjected 
to  the  special  actions  which  adapt  it  for  the  purpose  of  nutrition. 
Each  division  is  provided  with  accessories;  the  preparatory 
with  the  teeth  and  salivary  glands,  and  the  essential  organs  with. 
the  pancreas,  liver,  spleen,  etc. 

The  esophagus,  or  gullet,  is  a  musculo-membranous,  cylin- 
drical canal  passing  from  the  pharynx  to  the  stomach,  through 
which  the  food  reaches  the  latter. 

The  stomach  is  a  division  of  the  alimentary  canal,  continuous 
with  the  esophagus  and  small  intestines,  where  the  food  is  con- 
verted into  chyme  by  maceration  and  the  action  of  the  gastric 
juice ;  it  is  very  small  in  the  horse  in  proportion  to  his  size.  It 
lies  in  the  abdominal  cavity  just  behind  the  liver.  Its  internal, 
or  mucous,  coat  is  divided  into  right  and  left  portions,  the  latter 
is  the  cutaneous  portion  and  is  continuous  with  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  esophagus,  which  it  resembles  in  structure  and 
appearance,  being  of  a  pale  white  color.  The  right  portion,  the 
villous,  or  true  digestive  coat,  is  reddish  in  color,  soft,  very  vas- 
cular, and  velvety  looking. 

The  capacity  of  the  stomach  is  from  'S  to  3%  gallons. 

The  intestines  are  divided  into  large  and  small.  The  small 
intestines  are  continuous  with  the  stomach,  rather  more  than  an 
inch  in  diameter  and  about  T2  feet  in  length.  The  large  intes- 
tines, measuring  about  22  feet  in  length,  extend  from  the  termi- 
nation of  the  small  intestines  to  the  anus,  and  may  be  regarded 
as  consisting  of  four  parts,  the  caecum,  great  colon,  floating 
colon,  and  the  rectum. 

The  anns  is  the  posterior  opening  of  the  alimentary  canal, 
being  below  the  root  of  the  tail.  It  forms  a  roimd  projection, 
which  becomes  less  prominent  with  age. 

The  intestines  are  supported  throughout  their  entire  length  by 
strong  bands  of  fibrous  tissue  extending  from  the  backbone. 


24 

The  liver  is  the  largest  secreting  gland  in  the  body,  weighing 
from  10  to  12  pounds.  Its  shape  is  very  irregularly  elliptical, 
thick  in  the  center,  gradually  becoming  thinner  at  the  borders. 
It  is  situated  immediately  behind  the  diaphragm  and  secretes  a 
fluid  called  bile,  which  is  emptied  directly  into  the  small  intes- 
tines, as  the  horse  is  not  provided  with  a  gall  bladder. 

The  2^c(ucreas  (sweetbread)  is  situated  behind  the  stomach  and 
in  front  of  the  kidneys.  It  is  of  a  reddish  cream  color,  and 
weighs  about  17  ounces.  Its  function  is  to  secrete  pancreatic 
fluid,  which  is  poured  into  the  duodenum. 

The  abdominal  cavity,  or  belly,  is  a  large  and  somewhat  oval 
cavity,  bounded  superiorly  by  the  muscles  of  the  back,  inferiorly 
by  the  abdominal  muscles,  anteriorly  by  the  diaphragm;  poste- 
riorly it  is  continuous  with  the  pelvic  cavity. 

PHYSIOLOC^^Y   OF   DIGESTION. 

The  food  is  received  into  the  digestive  or  alimentary  tube: 
there  it  is  subjected  to  a  series  of  agencies  by  which  it  is,  in 
greater  or  less  part,  digested  and  worked  up  to  a  condition  in 
which  it  can  be  sucked  up  by  the  appropriate  vessels,  and,  while 
this  portion  is  absorbed  by  the  circulation,  the  effete  remainder 
passes  on  and  is  discharged. 

The  digestive  tube,  beginning  at  the  mouth,  is  continued  to 
the  stomach  by  the  throat  and  esophagus  or  gullet,  while  the 
stomach  is  succeeded  by  the  small  and  large  intestines. 

In  its  passage  along  this  tract  (tube)  the  food  is  subjected  to 
both  mechanical  and  chemical  processes.  The  food  is  taken  into 
the  mouth  by  the  lips,  where  it  is  masticated  (or  chewed)  and 
mixed  with  saliva;  it  is  then  swallowed,  passed  into  the  stomach, 
acted  upon  by  the  gastric  juice,  and  when  thoroughly  macerated 
(rolled,  mixed,  and  soaked)  it  enters  the  first  portion  of  the 
small  intestines,  and  is  acted  upon  by  the  secretions  of  the  liver 
and  pancreatic  gland  (bile  and  pancreatic  fluid) ;  from  this  point 
onward  the  food,  having  been  brought  in  contact  with  and  thor- 
oughly mixed  with  the  several  fluids  above  mentioned,  is  now 
ready  for  the  nutritive  portions  to  be  absorbed  into  the  circula- 
tion for  the  nourishment  of  the  animal,  which  is  accomplished 
by  little  villi,  situated  in  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  intes- 
tines. The  villi  are  small  projections  of  the  mucous  membrane 
of  the  small  intestines. 


The  functional  processes  of  digestion  are  prehension  (the  taking 
up  of  the  food  by  the  hps) ,  mastication  (chewing  or  grinding) . 
and,  simnltaneonsly  with  this,  insalivation,  or  mixing  the  food 
with  saliva,  which  is  secreted  by  the  salivary  glands,  situated  in 
different  parts  of  the  head;  deglutition,  or  swallowing  the  pre- 
pared food  by  means  of  the  tongue,  ijlmryn.w  and  esophagus 
(gullet). 

Chylification.  or  the  conversion  of  chyme  into  chyle,  is  a 
change  which  takes  place  in  the  duodenum  by  the  action  of  the 
bile  and  pancreatic  fluid,  followed  by  the  absorption  of  the  nu- 
tritive material  into  the  circulation,  and  finally,  defecation,  or 
excretion  of  the  residual,  inert  matter. 

The  alimentary  canal  is  a  musculo-membranous  tube,  extend- 
ing from  the  lips  to  the  anus.  Its  walls  are  composed  of  mus- 
cular tissue  and  lined  throughout  by  mucous  membrane.  It 
consists  of  a  continuous  series  of  tubes  and  cavities,  the  chief  of 
which  are  the  mouth,  pharynx,  esophagus,  stomach,  and  intes- 
tines, where  the  food  passes  through  various  changes  and  is 
deprived  of  its  nutritive  properties,  and  the  egestive  or  expulsive 
portions,  by  which  the  residue  is  expelled  from  the  system. 

The  portion  of  the  food  which  is  not  absorbed  is  called  effete 
material  (dung)  and  is  expelled  through  the  anus. 

URINARY   SYSTEM. 

The  organs  of  this  system  secrete  the  urine  from  the  blood  and 
excrete  or  expel  it  from  the  body.  These  organs  are  chiefly  the 
kidneys,  ureters,  bladder,  and  urethra.  The  urine,  which  is  a 
watery  fluid,  is  secreted  by  the  kidneys  and  carried  off  by  their 
ducts,  the  ureters,  to  a  special  reservoir,  the  bladder,  where  it 
accumulates  and  from  which  it  is  finally  expelled  at  intervals 
through  the  urethra.  The  kidneys  are  two  in  number,  right 
and  left,  situated  on  either  side  of  the  spine,  immediately  below 
the  lumbar  vertebrae. 

The  bladder  is  a  musculo-membranous  organ  and  serves  as  the 
reservoir  for  the  urine  and  is  situated  within  the  peMc  ca\ity. 

The  urethra  is  a  long  narrow  tube  extending  from  the  bladder 
to  the  head  of  the  penis. 

The  normal  amount  of  urine,  which  is  expelled  from  the  blad- 
der through  the  penis,  secreted  in  twenty-four  hours  varies  from 
3  to  6  quarts.     The  color  in  health  is  of  a  yellowish  cast. 


26 

CIRCULATION. 

This  involves  the  consideration  of  the  heart,  arteries,  and  veins. 

Blood. 

The  fluid  which  enriches  all  living  structures,  being  the  medium 
by  which  nutritive  material  is  conveyed  to  the  solid  tissues.  It 
is  an  opaque,  thickish,  clammy  fluid  with  a  peculiar  odor,  sickly 
saline  taste,  and  alkaline  reaction.  Its  color  varies  in  different 
parts  of  the  same  animal,  that  in  the  arteries  being  a  bright  red 
or  scarlet,  while  that  in  the  veins  is  of  a  dark  purplish  hue. 

Heart. 

The  heart  is  a  hollow  organ  of  involuntary  muscular  structure, 
situated  between  the  lungs,  in  the  thoracic  cavity;  its  average 
weight  is  about  6}4  pounds. 

The  heart  is  divided  into  two  parts,  right  and  left,  each  part 
containing  two  cavities,  one  above  the  other,  which  communicate 
by  valvular  openings.  The  heart  acts  as  a  force  pump  for  the 
blood,  forcing  the  impure  from  the  right  side  of  the  heart  through 
the  pulmonary  artery  into  the  lungs,  where  the  blood  gives  off 
carbonic  acid  gas  and  takes  up  oxygen;  the  purified  blood  returns 
through  the  pulmonary  vein  to  the  opposite  (left)  side  of  the 
heart,  and  is  then  forced  by  it  into  the  arteries,  which  carry  it 
to  all  parts  of  the  body,  giving  nourishment  to  the  tissues  and 
taking  up  waste  material.  This  impure  blood  is  returned  to  the 
right  side  of  the  heart  by  the  veins,  thus  completing  the  course 
of  the  circulation. 

The  smaller  arteries  terminate  in  a  system  of  minute  vessels — 
the  capillaries— which  are  situated  between  the  termination  of 
the  arteries  and  the  commencement  of  the  veins.  Their  average 
diameter  is  about  joVo  of  an  inch. 

Circulation  of  the  extremities. 

The  humeral  arterij.— This  artery  descends  along  the  inner  side 
of  the  humerus;  just  above  the  elbow  joint  it  divides  into  ante- 
rior and  posterior  radial  arteries.  The  anterior  radial  descends 
over  the  anterior  surface  of  the  elbow  joint,  passes  down  in  front 
of  the  radius  and  approaches  the  knee  below  the  extensor  pedis 
muscle,  where  it  divides  into  numerous  branches,  supplying 


27 

blood  to  the  surrounding  tissues.  The  posterior  radial  is  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  humeral  artery,  passing  down  the  inner  side  of 
the  foreleg  with  a  vein  and  nerve  of  the  same  name,  inclining 
backward  and  di\ading  at  the  lower  end  of  the  radius  into  large 
and  small  metacarpals. 

The  large  metacarpal  artery  is  a  continuation  of  the  posterior 
radial.  It  runs  down  the  back  of  the  knee  in  company  with  the 
flexor  tendons  and  the  internal  metacarpal  vein  and  nerve;  above 
the  fetlock  it  passes  between  the  tendons  and  suspensory  hga- 
ment,  di^-Lding  into  the  external  and  internal  digital  arteries. 

The  small  metacarpal  artery  passes  outward  from  the  inner 
and  back  part  of  the  knee,  and  running  do^^iward  joins  another 
artery  supph^ing  nourishment  to  the  surrounding  tissues. 

Circulation  of  the  hind  Zeg.— The  femoral  artery  is  the  artery 
of  the  thigh.  Just  above  the  back  of  the  stifle  joint  it  becomes 
the  popliteal  artery,  which  divides  into  two  mam  branches,  the 
anterior  and  posterior  tibial,  the  latter  supplying  the  posterior 
part  of  the  gaskin  and  hock  with  nourishment,  while  the  former 
winds  forward  between  the  tibia  and  fibula  to  the  fore  part  of 
the  leg,  gaining  it  midway  between  the  stifle  and  the  hock.  At 
the  hock  it  passes  obliquely  outward,  crossing  the  joint,  and 
becomes  the  great  metatarsal  artery  at  the  upper  and  external 
part  of  the  metatarsus;  it  then  passes  under  the  small  splint  bone 
and  gains  the  back  part  of  the  cannon,  and  then,  passing  down 
the  leg,  it  divides  just  below  the  bifurcation  of  the  suspensory 
ligament  into  two  branches,  the  external  and  internal  digitals. 

■  The  digital  arteries,  which  are  alike  in  the  fore  and  hind  limbs, 
originate  at  an  acute  angle  just  below  the  middle  of  the  cannon 
bone  in  front  of  the  flexor  tendons,  passing  over  the  inner  and 
outer  side  and  accompanied  by  corresponding  veins  and  nerves 
of  the  same  names,  the  artery  being  central  and  the  nerve  poste- 
rior. Each  runs  down  the  side  of  the  foot .  inside  the  lateral  carti- 
leges,  to  the  superior  border  of  the  wings  of  the  os  pedi>i.  thence 
they  reach  the  middle  and  under  surface  of  the  bone  at  either 
side  of  the  flexor  pedis  perforatis  tendon.  They  supply  numer- 
ous twigs  to  the  flexor  and  extensor  tendons,  fetlock  pad  and 
joint,  and  give  off  the  following  branches,  which  are  usually  re- 
garded as  the  arteries  of  the  foot:  They  are  five  in  number,  per- 
pendicular, transverse,  artery  of  the  frog,  preplantar  ungual ,  and 
plantar  ungual.  The  arteries  ramify  through  the  foot,  supplying 
it  with  nutrition. 


28 

The  perpendicular  artery  arises  at  right  angles  below  the  mid- 
dle of  the  OS  suffraghiis,  descends  on  the  side  of  the  digit,  inclines 
forward  and  terminates  above  the  coronary  band  by  anastomos- 
ing (joining)  w4th  its  fellow,  their  nnion  forming  the  superficial 
coronary  arch,  which  supplies  the  coronary  band  with  blood. 

The  transverse  artery  is  given  off  under  the  lateral  cartilage, 
passes  forward  between  the  front  of  bone  (o.s  corouce)  and  the 
extensor  tendon  and  joins  its  fellow,  forming  the  deep  coronary 
arch,  supplying  the  surrounding  parts  ^^th  blood. 

The  artery  of  the  frog  arises  behind  the  pastern  joint  at  the 
superior  part  of  the  lateral  cartilage,  enters  the  sensitive  frog 
and  divides  into  anterior  and  posterior  branches.  It  supplies 
the  sensitive  frog  \sath  blood. 

The  2^rex)lantar  ungual  artery  is  given  off  just  back  of  the 
wing  of  the  os  pedis,  passes  through  the  notch  in  the  wing  and 
along  tliQ  preplaniar  groove  in  the  wall  of  the  bone,  at  the  ante- 
rior extremity  of  which  it  terminates  by  several  branches  which 
enter  the  os  pedis  and  anastomose  with  the  eirculus  arferiostis. 
Before  entering  the  bone  two  branches  are  given  off  which  sup- 
ply the  bulbs  of  the  frog  and  the  lateral  cartilage  with  blood. 

The  i)lanfar  ungual  artery  is  the  terminal  branch  of  the  dig- 
ital, passes  through  the  plantar  forame}i  on  the  tendinous  surface 
of  the  OS  pedis  and  enters  the  bone  within  which  it  joins  its  fel- 
low, forming  the  circidus  arteriosus,  from  which  spring  ascend- 
ing and  descending  branches.  The  former  are  the  anterior 
laminals,  which  leave  the  bone  through  numerous  openings  on 
its  wall,  supplying  the  sensitiA^e  laminae  with  blood:  the  latter 
(descending  branches)  are  the  inferior  communicating  arteries, 
which  average  14  in  number.  They  pass  through  the  foiaminae 
(openings)  situated  just  above  the  edge  of  the  os  pedis  and  unite 
outside  to  form  the  circumflex  artery  which  runs  around  the 
toe,  giving  off  ascending  branches  to  the  sensitive  laminae  and 
about  14  descending  ones,  the  solar  arteries,  which  supply  the 
sensitive  sole  and  unite  posteriorly  to  form  the  inferior  circum- 
flex artery. 

The  veins  of  the  foot  are  very  numerous  and  arranged  in  an 
external  and  internal  (interosseous)  network. 

They  are  valveless,  allowing  the  blood  to  flow  in  either  direc- 
tion in  sudden  emergencv. 


29 

The  solar  plexus  is  made  up  of  a  large  number  of  small  veins, 
which  unite  to  form  the  large  circumflex  vein  which  accompa- 
nies the  artery  of  the  same  name,  passing  back  to  the  wing  of 
the  OS  pedis  and  thence  to  the  coronary  plexus. 

The  laminal  i)lexus  arises  on  the  sensitive  laminae,  the  veins  of 
which  gradually  increasing  in  size  as  they  approach  the  coronet 
whera  they  terminate  in  the  coronary  plexus.  The  coronary 
plexus  surrounds  the  os  coronce  and  upper  part  of  the  os  pedis, 
extending  backward  below  the  lateral  cartilages  and  is  formed 
by  the  veins  of  the  solar  and  laminal  plexuses.  The  veins  of  the 
frog  extend  over  the  external  surface  of  the  sensitive  frog, 
ascending  the  sides  of  the  lateral  cartilage  and  unite  to  form  a 
large  vein,  which,  with  branches  from  the  coronary  plexus,  runs 
up  the  side  of  the  os  coronce,  all  uniting  near  the  upper  part  of 
the  bone  to  form  the  digital  vein.  The  internal  or  interosseous 
veins  of  the  foot  originate  at  the  circulus  arteriosus;  they  pass 
out  of  the  bone  through  the  plantar  foraminae,  thence  up  the 
inner  side  of  the  lateral  cartilages  and  unite  with  branches  of 
the  coronary  plexus. 

NERVES   OF   THE   FOOT. 

At  the  fetlock  each  metacarpal  and  metatarsal  nerve  divides 
into  three  digital  branches:  anterior,  middle,  and  posterior. 

The  anterior  branch  descends  in  front  of  the  digital  vein  and 
distributes  its  branches  on  the  anterior  surface  of  the  foot. 

The  middle  branch  fi'equently  anastomoses  with  the  others, 
and  always  Ts^th  the  anterior  branch.  It  supplies  the  fetlock 
pad  and  sensitive  sole. 

The  posterior  branch,  by  far  the  larger,  and  the  true  continua- 
tion of  the  metacarpal  and  metatarsal  nerve,  is  continued  behind 
the  digital  artery  to  the  wing  of  the  0.9  pedis,  entering  the  fissure 
and  being  distributed  to  the  substance  of  the  bone  and  the 
laminae.  It  gives  off  branches  to  the  flexor  tendons  and  a  fila- 
m3nt  which  is  carried  forward  and  distributed  to  the  sensitive 
frog;  minute  filaments  accompany  the  plantar  ungual  artery  into 
the  pedal  bone. 

AXATOMY   OF  THE   LYMPHATIC   SYSTEM. 

The  lymphatic  or  absorbent  system  is  connected  with  the  vas- 
cular, and  consists  of  a  series  of  tubes  which  absorb  and  carry  to 


30 

the  blood  certain  fluids;  a  number  of  glandular  bodies  (glands) 
through  which  the  tubes  frequently  pass;  and  the  fluids  them- 
selves, which  are  lymph  and  chyle. 

LYMPHATIC  VESSELS. 

These  are  called  lymphatic  vessels  because  they  convey  a  clear, 
limpid  fluid;  or  absorbent  vessels,  because  they  absorb  alimentary 
matter.     The  absorbents  of  the  chyle  are  called  "  lacteals." 

The  tubes  which  form  the  lymphatic  system  are  distributed 
throughout  the  whole  body  and  unite  to  form  two  large  trunks, 
the  thoracic  duct,  and  the  right  lymphatic  vein,  both  of  which 
enter  the  venous  system  near  the  heart.  The  thoracic  is  the 
largest  and  longest  vessel  and  receives  all  the  others,  except  those 
of  the  right  anterior  extremity  and  right  side  of  the  head,  neck, 
and  thorax. 

Lymph  is  a  colorless  fluid.  Chyle  is  a  milky  fluid  found  in  the 
lacteals  or  lymphatic  vessels  of  the  intestines  during  digestion. 
Since  both  the  lacteals  and  posterior  lymphatic  vessels  lead  to  the 
great  IjTuphatic  trunk  or  thoracic  duct,  it  follows  that  the  lymph 
and  chyle  become  mixed. 

Through  the  excessively  thin  walls  of  the  capillaries  the  fluid 
part  of  the  blood  transudes  (oozes)  to  nourish  the  tissues  outside 
the  capillaries;  at  the  same  time  fluid  passes  from  the  tissues  into 
the  blood.  The  fluid,  after  it  passes  into  the  tissues,  constitutes 
the  lymph,  and  acts  as  a  stream  irrigating  the  tissue  elements. 
Much  of  the  surplus  of  this  lymph  passes  into  the  lymph  vessels, 
which,  in  their  commencement,  can  hardly  be  treated  as  inde- 
pendent structures  since  their  walls  are  so  closely  joined  to  the 
tissues  through  which  they  pass,  being  nothing  more  than  spaces 
in  the  connective  tissue  until  they  reach  the  large  lymph  vessels, 
which  empty  into  the  lymph  glands.  These  lymph  glands  are 
structures  so  placed  that  the  lymph  flowing  toward  the  larger 
trunks  passes  through  them  undergoing  a  slight  change  in  struc- 
ture. The  glands  give  l>Tnph  corpuscles  to  the  lymph,  which  are 
identical  with  the  white  corpuscles  of  the  blood. 

From  the  fact  of  this  arrangement  lymph  glands  are  subject  to 
inflammatory  diseases  in  the  vicinity  of  diseased  structures, 
because  infective  material  being  conveyed  in  the  lymph  stream 
lodges  in  the  glands  and  produces  irritation.  The  lymphatic  ves- 
sels contain  great  numbers  of  valves. 


ol 

ANATOMY   OF   THE   NERVOUS   SYSTEM. 

The  nervous  system  is  di^ided  into  two  minor  systems,  the 
cerebrospinal,  which  is  to  a  considerable  extent  influenced  by 
the  will  of  the  animal,  and  the  sympathetic,  which  is  not  directly 
influenced  by  the  \xi\\. 

In  the  first  the  center  is  made  up  of  two  portions,  the  brain  and 
the  spinal  cord. 

The  brain  is  situated  in  the  cranial  ca\^ty:  the  other,  the  spinal 
cord,  is  elongated  and  continuous  with  the  brain  and  is  situated 
in  the  canal  of  the  vertebral  column. 

The  communicating  portion  of  this  system  consists  of  the  cere- 
bro-spinal  nerves,  which  leave  the  brain  and  spinal  cord  in  sym- 
metrical pairs,  and  are  distributed  to  the  voluntary  muscles,  to 
the  organs  of  common  sensation,  and  to  those  of  special  sense. 

The  sjTiipathetic  system  consists  of  a  chain  of  ganglia  (small 
brains)  connected  by  a  nerve  cord.  They  extend  from  the  head 
to  the  coccyx  along  either  side  of  the  spine;  the  nerves  of  this 
system  are  distributed  to  the  involuntary  muscles,  mucous  mem- 
branes, internal  organs,  and  blood  vessels. 

A  nerve  consists  of  a  bundle  of  tubular  fibers  held  together  by 
dense  connective  tissue. 

The  nerve  fibers  represent  and  form  a  conducting  apparatus. 

ANATOMY   OF    THE   EYE. 

The  eye  is  the  organ  of  sight  and  is  situated  in  the  orbital 
fossa.  It  is  spherical  in  shape  and  filled  with  fluid.  The  front 
portion,  called  the  cornea,  is  clear  as  glass,  admitting  the  light 
to  the  back  part  of  the  eye,  where  it  strikes  the  retina,  an  expan- 
sion of  the  optic  nerve  which  transmits  impressions  to  the  brain. 
The  colored  portion,  or  iris,  acts  as  a  curtain,  regulating  the 
amount  of  light  admitted,  the  center  of  the  iris  being  known  as 
the  pupil.  The  crystalline  lens  is  a  small  transparent  body  sit- 
uated immediately  behind  the  pupil;  it  is  thick  in  the  center  and 
tapers  toward  the  edges.  Its  function  is  to  di-aw  the  rays  of 
light  to  a  focus  and  refract  them  on  the  retina.  When  the  lens 
is  diseased  and  no  light  can  pass  through  it  the  animal  is  said  to 
have  a  cataract.  The  eyelids  are  two  movable  curtains,  superior 
and  inferior,  which  protect  the  eye. 


32 

The  inembrana  nictifaus,  or  accessory  eyelid  (haw),  is  situated' 
near  the  internal  angle  between  the  lids  and  the  eyeball.     This 
membrane  serves  as  a  finger  for  the  removal  of  foreign  bodies 
from  the  eye. 

ANATOMY   OF   THE   MOUTH. 

The  mouth  is  an  irregularly  oval  cavity  at  the  commencement 
of  the  alimentary  canal,  containing  the  organs  of  taste  and  the 
Instruments  of  mastication.  It  is  situated  between  the  jaws,  its 
long  diameter  following  that  of  the  head.  It  is  pierced  by  two 
openings — the  anterior,  for  the  introduction  of  food,  and  the  pos- 
terior, through  which  the  latter  passes  into  the  pharynx.  It  is 
bounded  in  front  by  the  lips  and  laterally  by  the  cheeks;  the 
roof  is  formed  by  the  hard  palate;  its  floor  is  oscupied  by  the 
tongue,  while  the  posterior  boundary  is  the  soft  palate  {velum 
pendulum  palati) ,  the  membranous  partition  separating  it  from 
the  pharynx.  The  mucous  membrane,  continuous  with  the  skin 
at  the  lips,  covers  the  whole  free  surface  of  the  mouth  and  its 
contents,  except  the  teeth.  The  lips  are  the  organs  of  touch  as 
well  as  of  prehension.  The  soft  palate  is  a  valvular  curtain  sus- 
pended between  the  mouth  and  the  pharynx,  attached  above  to 
the  palatine  arch;  the  inferior  border  is  free  and  rests  on  the 
floor  of  the  pharynx.  It  is  owing  to  the  great  size  of  this  mem- 
brane that  a  horse  is  unable  to  breathe  through  his  mouth. 

The  tongue  is  a  movable  mus3ulo-membranous  organ,  situated 
on  the  floor  of  the  mouth  between  the  branches  of  the  lower 
jaw.  It  is  the  special  organ  of  taste  and  at  the  same  time  assists 
in  mastication. 

ANATOMY   OF  THE  SKIN. 

The  skin  consists  primarily  of  two  parts,  the  superior,  non- 
vascular (without  blood  vessels)  layer — the  cuticle  or  epidermis, 
and,  second,  the  deep  vascular  (with  blood  vessels)  layer — the 
corium,  derviis,  or  true  skin. 

The  epidermis  is  the  outer,  scaly  covering.  The  true  skin  or 
derma  lies  immediately  below  the  epidermis,  is  much  thicker, 
and  contains  the  roots  of  the  hair,  sweat  glands,  which  are 
simple  tubes  extending  from  the  deeper  layers  of  the  skin  to  the 
surface  of  the  body,  pouring  out  perspiration  which  carries  with 
it  certain  waste  materials  from  the  system.  The  evaporation  of 
sweat  cools  the  body  and  assists  in  regulating  its  temperature. 


33 

The  sebaceous  glands  are  branching  tubes  beginning  in  sacs  and 
opening  into  the  hair  follicles.  Their  oily  secretion  gives  gloss 
to  the  hair,  prevents  it  becoming  dry  and- brittle,  and  keeps  the 
skin  soft  and  supple. 

ANATOMY   OF   THE   FOOT. 

In  a  broad  sense  we  may  regard  the  foot  as  consisting  of  three 
well-marked  portions,— the  base  or  skeleton,  the  highly  sensitive 
or  secreting  portions,  and  a  nonsensitive  or  protective  portion. 
The  latter  two  may  be  considered  as  modifications  of  the  skin. 
The  sensitive  part  corresponds  to  the  derma  or  true  skin,  while 
its  covering,  the  hoof,  corresponds  to  the  epidermis. 

The  study  of  the  foot  of  the  horse  is  of  the  greatest  practical 
importance,  owing  to  the  many  diseases  and  injuries  to  which  it 
is  liable.  It  resolves  itself  into  the  consideration  of  the  hoof  or 
horny  case  and  the  parts  contained  in  it. 

The  bones. 

The  OS  suffraginis,  or  large  pastern  bone,  passes  obliquely 
downward  and  forward  and  articulates  with  the  cannon  bone 
above  and  the  os  coronce,  or  small  pastern  bone,  below.  The 
articular  surfaces  of  the  bone  are  kept  in  apposition  by  strong 
bands  of  fibrous  tissue,  known  as  ligaments. 

The  OS  coronce,  or  small  pastern  bone,  is  inclined  obliquely 
downward  and  forward  and  is  partially  covered  by  the  hoof. 
It  articulates  below  with  the  coffin  and  navicular  bones,  and 
above  with  the  os  suffraginis.  The  sides  of  the  os  coronce  are 
roughened  for  the  attachment  of   the  flexor  pedis  perforotux 

tendon. 

The  OS  naviciilaris,  or  shuttle  bone,  is  an  irregular  bone  situ- 
ated with  its  long  axis  transversely  behind  and  below  the  os 
coronce  and  behind  the  os  pedis,  with  which  it  articulates,  foim- 
ing  the  so-called  navicular  joint. 

The  OS  pedis,  or  coffin  bone,  is  an  irregularly  shaped  bone 
situated  within  the  hoof,  and  which,  in  a  healthy  state,  cor- 
responds somewhat  to  it  in  shape,  being  semilunar  in  form  with 
the  convexity  to  the  front. 

It  is  a  very  hard  but  porous  bone,  ha^-ing  many  excavations 
and  channels  for  the  passage  of  the  arteries  and  veins.  The  waU 
or  anterior   surface  is  the  semicircular  part  in   front,  which 

5829 3 


34 

presents  numerous  depressions  and  channels,  the  latter  being  for 
the  passage  of  the  blood  vessels  and  nerves,  and  the  former  for 
the  attachment  of  the  soft  structures. 

The  highest  portion  in  front  is  called  the  pyramidal  process,  to 
which  is  attached  the  tendon  of  the  extensor  pedis  muscle.  The 
sole  or  inferior  surface,  which  lies  on  the  sensitive  or  vascular 
sole,  is  slightly  excavated  and  half -moon  (crescent)  shaped. 
Immediately  behind  this  is  the  tendinous  surface,  to  which  is 
attached  the  tendon  of  the  flexor  pedis  per  for  cms  muscle.  The 
wings  are  irregular  protuberances  on  the  posterior  part  of  the 
wall.  The  articular  surface  is  divided  into  two  small  grooves 
separated  by  a  slight  ridge.  The  os  pedis  articulates  above  with 
the  OS  cor  once,  and  behind  with  the  navicular  bone. 

ANATOMY   OF  THE   HOOF. 

The  hoof  of  the  horse  corresponds  to  the  finger  nail  of  man. 
By  maceration  (soaking)  it  is  divisible  into  three  distinct  parts — 
the  wall,  the  sole,  and  the  frog. 

The  wall  is  that  portion  which  is  visible  when  the  hoof  rests 
on  the  ground.  It  is  generally  di\dded  into  the  toe,  quarters, 
heels,  and  bars.  The  toe  forms  the  front  of  the  hoof  and  is  the 
thickest  part  of  the  wall,  which  gradually  declines  in  height  as 
it  turns  backward  to  form  the  quarters.  These  occupy  the  space 
between  the  toe  and  the  heel.  The  wall  decreases  in  thickness 
from  in  front  backward,  and  more  markedly  so  at  the  inner 
portion.  At  the  posterior  part  of  the  foot  the  walls  take  on  each 
side  a  sudden  bend,  forming  an  acute  angle,  and  are  continued 
inward  to  the  center  of  the  foot,  where  their  two  parts  (the 
bars)  unite  wdth  the  sole.  The  exterior  surface  of  the  wall  is 
convex,  smooth,  and  covered  by  a  thin  layer,  the  periople,  which 
is  continuous  above  with  the  coronary  band.  The  internal  sur- 
face of  the  wall  presents  throughout  its  whole  extent  parallel 
perpendicular  j)lates  of  horn,  the  insensitive  or  horny  lamince, 
numbering  from  500  to  600,  and  are  separated  from  each  other 
by  deep  fissures,  in  which  are  inserted  the  sensitive  lamince.  The 
superior,  or  coronary,  border  of  the  wall  presents  an  excavation 
or  groove  which  slopes  somewhat  obliquely  downward  and 
inward,  forming  a  circular  gutter,  in  which  is  located  the  cor- 
onary band  or  ligament.  In  this  are  numerous  orifices,  into 
which  are  inserted  the  secreting  villi  of  the  coronary  band.     The 


35 

inferior  border  is  that  portion  in  contact  ^vith  the  ground  and 
to  which  the  shoe  is  fitted.  In  the  unshod  animal  it  is  always  in 
wear  and  protrudes  beyond  the  rest,  more  especially  around  the 
outer  quarter,  and  is  known  as  the  spread.  The  external  layer 
of  horn  in  the  wall  is  distinctively  known  as  the  crust  and  is 
secreted  by  the  coronary  band,  the  rest  being  secreted  by  the 
sensitive  la  mime.  Supposing  the  foot  to  rest  on  a  perfectly  level 
plane,  the  line  joining  the  toe  to  the  middle  of  the  coronary  bor- 
der should  make  with  the  ground  an  angle  of  about  50  degrees  in 
the  fore  and  perhaps  a  little  more  in  the  hind  feet. 

The  sole. 

The  sole  is  the  thick  plate  of  horn  which  helps  to  fonn  the  in- 
ferior portion  of  the  foot.  It  is  situated  between  the  inner  bor- 
der of  the  inferior  part  of  the  wall  and  the  bars.  The  inferior, 
or  external,  surface  is  more  or  less  concave;  the  superior  surface 
(the  internal)  is  usually  convex,  and  is  studded  with  a  number 
of  small  orifices  which  run  obliquely  forward:  into  these  are  in- 
serted the  YSiSCulsiY  jxqnllce  of  the  sensitive  sole.  The  external 
border  or  circumference  of  the  sole  is  convex,  and  is  united 
throughout  its  whole  extent  to  the  internal  surface  of  the  inferior 
border  of  the  waU  to  which  it  is  very  closely  united.  The  inner 
border  represents  a  deep  cut  or  notch  in  the  f  oitq  of  the  letter  V, 
and  is  attached  to  the  bars,  except  at  the  anterior  part,  where  it 
is  bounded  by  the  frog. 

The  frog. 

The  frog  is  the  somewhat  pyramidal  mass  of  spongy  horn  lodged 
between  the  bars  and  filling  up  the  triangular  space.  The  infe- 
rior, or  external,  surface  is  very  irregular  and  presents  a  longi- 
tudinal triangular  cavity,  which  varies  in  breadth  and  depth, 
being  broadest  and  deepest  in  well-formed  feet.  This  cavity  is 
the  cleft  of  the  frog,  bounding  which  are  two  sloping  projections 
or  branches,  which  unite  at  the  apex  of  the  frog  anteriorly  and 
diverge  posteriorly  where*  they  join  the  heels.  The  superior  or 
internal  surface  is  also  very  irregular,  but  exactly  the  reverse  of 
the  inferior;  where  the  one  is  hollow  the  other  has  a  projection 
and  ^-ice  versa.  It  presents  over  its  whole  surface  numerous 
small  orifices  into  which  are  inserted  the  vascular  or  secreting 
papillcB  of  the  sensitive  frog. 


The  base  of  the  posterior  extremities  constitutes  the  heels  or 
bulbs  of  the  frog.  These  are  two  round,  flexible,  and  elastic 
eminences  formed  by  the  two  extremities  and  separated  by  the 
cleft.  These  extend  upward  and  are  continued  around  the  exter- 
nal part  of  the  superior  surface  of  the  wall  in  the  form  of  a  band, 
which  is  the  coronary  frog  band.  It  is  from  this,  on  its  inferior 
border,  that  the  thin  covering  of  the  hoof  is  continued. 

It  is  an  acknowledged  fact  that  white  hoofs,  like  white  skin, 
are  more  delicate,  porous,  and  prone  to  disease  than  dark  ones. 

The  parts  contained  Tvdthin  the  hoof  are  the  os  pedis,  os  navic- 
nlaris,  and  the  lower  extremity  of  the  os  coroiice,  the  ligaments 
by  which  they  are  connected  together,  insertions  of  the  extensor 
pedis,  and.  flexoi'perforans  tendons,  the  blood  vessels,  and  nerves. 

There  are  also  certain  other  structures  proper  to  the  foot,  viz, 
lateral  cartilages,  sensitive  frog,  coronary  ligament,  sensitive 
lamince,  and  sensitive  sole. 

The  lateral  cartilages  are  of  an  irregular,  quadrangular  form, 
situated  inside  the  quarter  and  attached  to  the  Tvdngs  of  the  cof- 
fin bone.  Attached  to  the  inner  surface  of  the  hoof  is  the  sensi- 
tive portion  of  the  hoof,  which  may,  like  the  hoof  itself,  be  divided 
into  the  regions  of  the  wall,  the  sole,  the  frog,  and  the  coronary 
band.  The  keratogenous  meiiibrane  is  a  sensitive  sheath  which 
envelops  the  os  pedis.  Its  outer  surface  is  endowed  with  the 
function  of  secreting  horn  tissue  for  the  renewal  of  the  various 
parts  of  the  hoof. 

The  sensitive  frog  or  plantar  cushion. 

The  sensitive  frog  occupies  the  posterior  and  central  parts  of 
the  foot,  filling  up  the  irregular  space  between  the  lateral  carti- 
lages, flexor  tendon,  and  os  pedis,  bounded  laterally  by  the  lateral 
cartilages,  above  by  the  flexor  tendon  and  below  by  the  horny 
frog.  It  is  continuous  with  the  sensitive  bars,  sole,  and  the  coro- 
nary ligament.  The  base  looks  backward  and  is  divided  into 
bulbous  enlargements,  which  are  united  to  the  lateral  cartilages. 
The  external  layers  secrete  the  horny  frog. 

Coronary  sid^stance  or  coronary  bend. 

This  is  the  vascular  substance  which  occupies  the  coronary 
groove  on  the  sui^erior  border  of  the  wall.  It  consists  of  a  dense, 
fibrous  mass  or  band,  which  is  connected  with  the  coffin  bone  and 


37 

extensor  tendon  through  the  niedimn  of  dense  celhilar  tissue.  It 
secretes  the  horny  tissues  of  the  wall.  The  coronary  band  pre- 
sents, along  its  upper  border,  a  narrow  lip  or  process — the  peri- 
oplic  ring — which  secretes  the  horn  of  the  pen'oplc,  the  thin  outer 
covering  or  varnish  of  the  wall. 

The  sensitivelainince. 

The  sensitive  Jamince  form  the  continuation  of  the  coronary 
substance  and  are  attached  to  the  coffin  bone  by  dense,  fibrous 
membrane  which  contains  a  large  number  of  blood  vessels  that 
pass  through  the  small  openings  in  the  coffin  bone.  The  highly 
organized  plates  are  interposed  and  firmly  attached  to  the  horny 
lamince  of  the  wall  and  are  covered  by  numerous  pcqnUce,  which 
secrete  the  horny  lamince.  On  their  inferior  extremity  are  a  few 
papillae,  which  help  to  secrete  the  horny  sole. 

The  sensitive  sole. 

The  sensitive  sole,  continuous  with  the  sensitive  hiiniiuB  and 
frog,  is  firmly  attached  to  the  coffin  bone.  It  secretes  the  horny 
sole. 

PHYSIOLOGY   OF   THE   FOOT. 

The  amount  of  moisture  contained  in  the  horn  is  considerable, 
the  use  of  which  is  to  keep  the  foot  elastic  and  prevent  it  from 
becoming  brittle. 

In  the  unmutilated  foot  the  too  rapid  evaporation  of  moisture 
in  the  wall  is  prevented  by  the  psriople:  from  the  sole  and  frog 
by  the  accumulated  masses  of  partly  dead  layers  of  horn;  con- 
sequently, those  protecting  layers  should  not  be  removed,  as 
this  removal  would  cause  the  horn  to  become  dry,  brittle,  and 
inelastic. 

The  wall  is  the  weight-bearing  portion  of  the  hoof;  the  growth 
is  three-eighths  of  an  inch  per  month. 

The  bars  afford  a  solid  bearing  to  the  posterior  part  of  the  foot, 
to  give  additional  strength  and  to  secure  a  more  intiinate  union 
with  the  sole.  They  act  as  buttresses  and  assist  in  expanding 
the  hoof  on  pressure. 

The  function  of  the  sole  is  to  afford  protection  to  the  sensitive 
sensitive  parts  above. 


38 

The  function  of  the  frog  is  to  break  the  jar  by  receiving,  in 
conjunction  with  the  posterior  wall,  the  impact  of  the  foot  on 
coming  to  the  ground,  and  also  to  prevent  slipping,  and  to  stimu- 
late the  capillary  circulation. 

The  lateral  cartilages  form  an  elastic  wall  to  the  sensitive  foot, 
and  their  movements,  caused  by  lateral  expansion  and  contrac- 
tion of  the  plantar  cushion,  assist  the  venous  circulation.  When 
weight  comes  on  the  foot,  it  is  relieved  by  a  yielding  foot  articu- 
lation on  elastic  walls,  bars,  and  frog,  and  through  this  the 
plantar  cushion.  The  elastic  posterior  wall  is  pressed  outward 
by  the  compressed  india-rubber-like  frog  and  plantar  cushion, 
and  it  slightly  expands  from  the  ground  surface  to  the  coronet. 

At  the  moment  of  expansion  the  bulbs  of  the  heels  of  the  foot 
at  the  coronary  edges  sink  under  the  body  weight  and  come 
nearer  the  ground,  as  a  result  of  which  the  anterior  coronary 
edge  retracts. 

The  pedal  bone  slightly  descends  through  its  connection  with 
the  sensitive  laminae  and  presses  the  sole  down  with  it,  while  the 
wall  of  the  foot  diminishes  in  height  under  the  compression  to 
which  it  is  exposed.  Under  these  conditions  the  blood  pressure 
in  the  veins  of  the  foot  increases  and  the  blood  vessels  are  emp- 
tied. When  the  weight  is  removed  from  the  foot  the  blood  ves- 
sels fill,  the  frog  and  the  posterior  walls  contract,  the  bulbs  of 
the  heel  rise,  and  the  foot  becomes  narrower  from  side  to  side; 
at  the  same  time  the  anterior  edge  of  the  coronet  goes  forward, 
and  the  pedal  bone  and  sole  ascend.  The  object  of  this  expan- 
sion is  to  assist  the  venous  circulation  and  counteract  concussion. 

Shoeing  is  a  necessary  evil,  but  by  remembering  the  functions 
of  the  various  parts  of  the  foot  the  damage  resulting  may  be 
limited  to  a  comparatively  small  amount. 

The  following  rules  may  serve  as  a  guide  for  the  shoeing  of 
healthy  feet: 

1.  The  wall  being  the  weight  bearer  it  should  be  pared  per- 
fectly level  to  avoid  placing  extra  tension  on  any  of  the  ligaments, 
thereby  causing  the  foot  to  be  placed  out  of  its  true  position. 

2.  Fitting  the  shoe  accurately  to  the  outline  of  the  foot,  not 
altering  the  latter  to  fit  the  shoe.  Rasping  away  the  exterior  of 
the  crust  to  fit  the  shoe  not  only  renders  the  horn  brittle  but  is 
so  much  loss  of  bearing  surface. 


39 

3.  The  exterior  of  the  wall  shonlcl  be  left  intact.  The  practice 
of  rasping  the  wall  for  the  sake  of  appearances  destroys  the  horn 
and  allows  of  so  mush  evaporation  from  the  surface  of  the  foot 
that  the  part  becomes  brittle. 

4.  The  sole  should  not  be  touched  with  the  knife;  it  is  there 
for  the  purpose  of  protection. 

5.  The  bars  should  not  be  cut  away;  they  are  a  part  of  the 
wall  and  intended  to  carry  weight.  The  shoe  should  rest  on 
them. 

6.  The  frog  should  not  be  cut,  but  left  to  attain  its  full  growth. 
No  frog  can  perform  its  functions  unless  on  a  level  with  the 
ground  surface  of  the  shoe. 

7.  The  shoe  should  have  a  true  and  level  bearing  and  rest  well 
and  firmly  on  the  wall  and  bars. 

A  plain  light-weight  shoe  is  the  best— one  plain  on  both  ground 
and  foot  surface. 

High  nailing  is  injurious;  do  not  use  any  more  nails  than  are 
absolutely  necessary,  as  the  nails  destroy  the  horn. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

WOTJI^DS,  SPRAINS,  BRUISES,  AXD  CONTUSIONS. 

TREATMENT   OF  AVOUNDS. 

It  consists  of  the  bandaging  and  dressing  of  wounds.  A  dress- 
ing is  a  mode  of  local,  periodically  repeated  treatment,  producing 
a  continued  action,  following  ordinarily  the  performance  of 
operations,  and  consisting  in  the  methodical  application  upon 
the  surface  of  woimds  of  special  apparatuses  which  complete  the 
effect  of  the  operation  and  cooperate  in  the  recovery. 

Before  applj^ig  a  dressing  the  wound  should  be  thoroughly 
cleansed  and  freed  from  blood,  pus,  the  remains  of  previous 
dressing,  and,  in  a  word,  of  any  foreig-n  or  other  substances 
capable  of  becoming  sources  of  irritation.  This  is  best  done 
with  water,  but  its  effect  is  frequently  greatly  improved  by 
combining  with  it  some  of  the  antiseptics,  such  as  carbolic  acid, 
creolin,  bichloride  of  mercury,  etc. 

It  may  be  applied  by  carefully  passing  a  ball  of  oakum  over 
the  surface  of  the  wound,  or  it  may  be  used  more  freely  in  larger 


40 

ablutions  (washings).  Crusts  or  scabs,  if  any,  may  be  removed 
with  the  scissors  or  scraped  away  with  the  knife,  but  the  finger- 
nails must  by  no  means  be  used  for  such  a  purpose,  for  the  two- 
fold reason  that  it  is  both  filthy  and  dangerous.  Handle  the 
wound  only  as  is  necessary;  all  needless  handling  irritates.  If 
the  wound  is  deep,  irrigations  or  injections  can  be  combined  with 
the  lotion  in  cleansing  it. 

The  essential  condition  of  cleanliness  applies  not  only  to  the 
wound  but  also  to  the  materials  used  for  dressings,  and  soiled 
cloths  or  bandages,  and  dirty  oakum  must  be  rigorously  rejected; 
everything  coming  in  contact  with  a  wound  must  be  absolutely 
clean,  hands  as  well  as  instruments  and  dressings. 

In  applying  the  various  dressings  unnecessary  pressure  should 
be  avoided,  especially  on  the  soft  tissues. 

In  the  treatment  of  all  wounds  cleanliness  is  of  more  importance 
then  medication,  but  the  two  in  combination,  when  thoroughly 
and  intelligantly  carried  out,  will  leave  no  room  for  the  propaga- 
tion and  ravages  of  those  germs  that  cause  formation  of  pus,  and 
retard  the  healing  process.  The  first  step  in  the  treatment  of  a 
wound  is  to  have  all  utensils  thoroughly  clean.  The  farrier,  or 
whoever  is  to  look  after  the  injured  animal,  should  have  his 
hands  thoroughly  clean,  and  in  a  clean  can  or  bucket  provide  a 
solution  of  creolin  or  other  antiseptic  1  part,  water  50  parts;  and 
several  clean  pieces  of  cotton,  gauze,  or  oakum.  Sponges  are 
cleaned  with  difficulty  and  should  not  be  used.  If  the  injury  is  one 
that  can  be  sutured  (sewed)  a  needle  and  silk  should  be  immersed 
in  a  solution  of  creolin  1  jjart,  water  50  parts;  the  hair  around 
the  wound  should  be  either  shaved  or  clipped  with  a  pair  of 
shears,  the  wound  thoroughly  cleansed  by  washing  it  with  cotton 
saturated  with  the  creolin  solution;  all  dirt  and  hair  must  be 
removed,  and  all  ragged  edges,  if  any,  cut  away,  and  the  edges 
of  the  wound  placed  in  contact  with  each  other  if  possible  and 
held  in  place  by  the  aid  of  sutures;  the  wound  should  then  be 
wiped  dry  with  another  piece  of  cotton  or  gauze,  and  over  the 
surface  should  be  dusted  some  iodoform  or  acetanilid,  and,  if  the 
location  will  allow  it,  it  should  be  covered  with  a  pad  of  gauze  or 
absorbent  cotton,  and  a  cotton  bandage  wrapped  around  the 
parts  to  hold  the  pad  in  place.  The  woimd  should  be  dressed 
once  or  twice  a  day  until  the  formation  of  pus,  if  any,  ceases; 
then  when  the  wound  is  dry,  only  the  powder  should  be  used. 


If  the  wound  is  a  large  one,  with  the  skin  and  tissues  badly 
torn  and  lacerated,  and  it  will  not  admit  of  the  use  of  sutures, 
the  torn  and  ragg3d  edges,  esp3cially  if  the  lower  part  of  the 
wound  should  hang  down,  should  be  removed  vnth  the  knife  or 
scissors  and  the  wound  dressed  as  above  directed.  When  the 
wound  begins  to  granulate  (fill  vrith  new  tissue)  care  should  be 
taken  that  the  granulations  are  not  allowed  to  grow  out  higher 
than  the  skin:  in  case  they  do  so  we  will  then  have  the  condition 
known  as  proud  flesh. 

The  treatment  of  proud  flesh  consists  in  the  removal  of  the  un- 
healthy tissue  by  the  use  of  the  knife  or  the  application  of  the  red- 
hot  iron:  or  burnt  alum  or  salicylic  acid  dusted  upon  the  surface 
of  the  wound  will  destroy  the  unhealthy  granules. 

If  hemorrhage  is  profuse  the  first  step  to  be  taken  is  to  arrest 
the  flow  of  blood  by  ligating  (tying)  the  blood  vessels  or  vessel 
with  a  piece  of  silk,  or  if  none  is  at  hand,  a  clean  piece  of  string 
will  do;  if  unable  to  tie  the  blood  vessels  a  thick  pad  made  of  cot- 
ton or  several  layers  of  gauze  or  clean  cloth,  folded  so  as  to  cover 
the  wound  and  held  firmly  in  place  by  one  or  more  cotton  ban- 
dages will  check  the  flow  of  blood.  Before  applj-ing  the  com- 
press and  bandages,  the  edges  of  the  wound  should  be  brought  in 
contact  by  the  aid  of  sutures  if  possible.  The  compress  should 
be  left  on  until  the  hemorrhage  ceases,  and  the  wound  treated  as 
before  mentioned. 

Punctured  wounds  should  be  explored  with  a  probe  to  ascer- 
tain if  any  foreign  bodies  are  in  the  channel:  if  so.  they  should  be 
removed,  and  if  necessary  a  dependent  opening  be  made  to  allow 
perfect  drainage,  and  the  parts. syringed  out  thoroughly  with  a 
solution  of  creolin,  2  per  cent:  carbolic  acid,  3  to  5  per  cent; 
or,  bichloride  of.  mercury,  1  to  1,000,  and  the  outside  opening 
sprinkled  with  iodoform.  This  treatment  should  be  applied  twice 
daily. 

An  excellent  antiseptic  solution  for  the  treatment  of  wounds, 
especially  during  fly  time,  is  made  by  dissolving  eight  ounces  of 
gmn  camphor  in  three  ounces  of  carbolic  acid.  Apply  with  a 
clean  swab  several  times  daily. 

PUNCTURED   WOUNDS   AROUND   .JOINTS. 

Open  joint  is  a  wound  situated  on  a  joint  and  extending  through 
the  capsular  ligament  and  allo"\Aung  the  joint  oil  to  escape.     The 


42 

capsular  ligament  is  a  broad,  thin  band  of  tissue,  surrounding  the 
whole  of  the  joint;  on  the  inside  of  this  ligament  is  a  membrane 
that  secretes  the  oil-lubricating  fluid  of  the  joint. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  hair  and  thoroughly  clean  the  parts 
around  the  wound;  unless  a  foreign  body  is  known  to  be  lodged 
in  it  do  not  probe  or  explore,  as  the  introduction  of  any  instru- 
ment, unless  thoroughly  clean,  will  be  the  means  of  setting  up 
considerable  inflammation.  Wash  thoroughly  with  a  solution  of 
bichloride  of  mercury  1  part,  water  1,000  parts;  then  sprinkle 
with  iodoform,  and,  if  possible,  bandage  as  before  recommended; 
sutures  may  be  used,  provided  movement  of  the  joint  and  tearing 
can  be  prevented.  When  the  wound  is  unlikely  to  heal  quickly, 
or  simple  treatment  has  failed,  a  blister  of  cantharides  1  part, 
cosmoline  4  parts,  may  be  applied,  with  a  view  of  closing  the 
opening,  limiting  motion,  and  relieving  pain.  Wounds  of  the 
lips,  nostrils,  and  eyelids  heal  very  rapidly;  if  of  several  days 
standing  they  should  have  their  edges  scraped  and  then  be  su- 
tured, and  iodoform  or  acetanilid  dusted  over  the  surface  twice 
daily. 

CAUSE  AND  TREATMENT   OF  SPRAINS. 

Sprains  affect  the  muscles,  tendons,  and  ligaments.  The  fibers 
of  which  they  are  composed  are  severely  stretched,  sometimes 
torn  in  serious  cases,  causing  inflammation  and  subsequent  con- 
traction, and,  in  case  of  muscles,  atrophy  (wasting  away, 
sweeny). 

Muscular  sprains  are  found  in  various  parts  of  the  trunk  and 
limbs;  thus,  a  horse  may  be  strained  in  the  neck,  as  a  result  of 
falling  on  the  head;  the  muscles  of  the  dorsal  region  may  be 
sprained  by  the  hind  feet  slipping  backward.  When  a  muscle  is 
strained  the  injury  is  succeeded  by  pain,  swelling,  heat,  and  loss 
of  function. 

An  inflamed  muscle  can  no  longer  contract;  hence,  in  some 
strains  the  symptoms  resemble  those  of  paralysis. 

SPRAINS  OF  THE  SUSPENSORY  LIGAMENT  AND  FLEXOR  TENDONS. 

The  fibrous  structures  situated  behind  the  cannon  bone,  both 
in  the  front  and  hind  legs,  is  often  the  seat  of  laceration  or  sprains 
resulting  from  violent  efforts  or  sudden  jerks.  The  injury  is 
easily  recognized  by  the  changed  appearance  of  the  parts,  which 


43 

become  more  or  less  swollen,  sometimes  extending  from  the  knee 
down  to  and  even  involving  the  fetlock  itself.  It  is  always  char- 
acterized by  heat  and  is  variously  sensitive,  ranging  from  a  mere 
tenderness  to  a  degree  of  soreness  which  shrinks  from  the  lightest 
touch.  The  degree  of  lameness  corresponds  to  the  severity  of  the 
injury. 

CURB. 

The  calcaneo-cuboid  ligament,  situated  at  the  back  part  of  the 
hock,  uniting  the  calcaneum,  the  cuboid,  and  the  external  splint 
bones,  is  frequently  sprained.  This  condition  is  known  as  a 
"curb." 

The  various  ligaments  entering  into  the  formation  of  joints  are 
subject  to  sprains  and  injuries.  This  condition  is  indicated  by 
lameness,  accompanied  by  pain,  heat,  and  swelling. 

In  dislocation  of  the  patella  (stifle  bone)  the  ligaments  holding 
it  in  position  are  severely  stretched  and  in  some  cases  sprained  or 
ruptured.  The  capsular  ligament  when  sprained  very  often 
becomes  weakened,  resulting  in  distension  of  the  synovial  sac. 
These  enlargements  receive  different  names,  according  to  their 
location. 

Treatment. — Perfect  rest  is  absolutely  necessary  and  must  not 
be  overlooked  in  the  treatment  of  all  sprains;  therefore  the 
injured  animal  should  be  at  once  removed  to  a  level  stall  where 
it  can  remain  until  recovery  has  taken  place.  In  connection  with 
rest,  hot  or  cold  applications  should  be  applied  to  the  injured 
parts.  These  applications  should  be  in  the  form  of  fomentations 
(bathing) ,  or  bandages  saturated  with  water.  They  must  not  be 
allowed  to  dry  while  in  contact  with  the  injured  parts,  as  a  flan- 
nel bandage  a^Dplied  wet  shrinks  in  drjdng,  and  will  not  only 
retard  the  reparative  process,  but  cause  unnecessary  pain.  Cold 
water  is  often  materially  assisted  in  accomplishing  the  desired 
results  by  the  addition  of  acetate  of  lead  or  sulphate  of  zinc, 
witch-hazel,  or  nitrate  of  potash,  A  convenient  solution  is  made 
as  follows:  Acetate  of  lead  and  sulphate  of  zinc,  each  1%  ounces; 
water,  1  quart;  or,  i  pint  of  witch-hazel,  1  ounce  of  acetate  of 
lead,  and  water  enough  to  mp.ke  1  quart.  If  pain  is  very  severe 
the  following  may  be  used:  Tincture  oiDium,  4  ounces;  acetate  of 
lead,  2  ounces;  water  to  make  1  quart.  This  application  is  of 
more  benefit  when  applied  warm.  Such  applications  should  be 
used  several  times  daily. 


44 

If,  after  the  inflammation  is  reduced,  the  parts  remain  large 
and  swollen,  benefit  will  result  from  the  application  of  tincture 
of  iodine,  well  rubbed  in,  twice  a  day.  If  this  treatment  fails  to 
restore  the  parts  to  their  normal  condition  in  a  reasonable  length 
of  time,  a  blistsr  should  b3  applied.  It  is  made  as  follows:  Can- 
tharides  (powdered)  1  part,  cosmoline  4  to  5  parts;  or,  cantharides 
(powdered)  1  part,  biniodide  mercury  1  part,  cosmoline  4  to  6 
parts. 

Before  apphing  either  the  blister  or  the  iodine  the  hair  should 
be  clipped  from  the  parts  to  which  the  medicine  is  to  be  applied. 
To  obtain  the  best  results  from  the  blister  it  should  be  well 
rubbed  in  for  at  least  fifteen  minutes.  The  animal  must  be  tied 
in  such  a  manner  that  he  can  not  reach  the  blistered  part  with 
his  mouth;  the  blister  should  be  left  on  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
four  to  forty-eight  hours:  it  must  then  be  removed  by  washing 
with  warm  water  and  soap.  Aftar  the  blister  has  been  removed 
the  animal  can  be  untied.  The  parts  should  be  kept  clean  and 
free  from  scabs. 

Rest  is  necessary  throughout  the  treatment,  and  even  to  test 
his  soundness  the  animal  should  not  be  moved  more  than  is 
necessary. 

BRUISES — CONTUSIONS. 

In  the  cavalry  horse  the  most  frequent  bruise  we  find  is  that 
condition  known  as  saddle  and  cinch  galls,  and  bruise  of  the 
withers,  caused  by  undue  pressure  of  the  saddle. 

Certain  horses  suffer  more  than  others,  depending  on  the  pres- 
ence of  old  sores,  scars,  or  scabs,  or  on  peculiarities  in  form  inter- 
fering with  the  fitting  of  the  saddle.  Among  these  may  be 
included  abnormally  high  or  low  withers,  flatness  of  the  ribs, 
keel-shaped  breast  and  short  sternum  (breastbone),  and  disten- 
sion of  the  abdomen,  causing  the  cinch  to  slip  backward  or 
forward. 

Old  horses  sometimes  have  the  muscles  in  the  saddle  bed  atro- 
phied (wasted  away) ,  and  are  therefore  more  liable  to  contract 
saddle  galls.  The  mechanical  cause  of  saddle  galls  may  be 
divided  into  three  groups:  First,  unequal  distribution  of  weight; 
second,  faults  in  saddling;  third,  errors  in  riding. 

Treatment. — To  prevent  the  condition  it  is  advisable  to  leave 
the  saddle  on  for  one-half  to  one  hour  after  dismounting,  as  where 


45 

an  injury  has  taken  place  the  blood  vessels  are  compressed  and 
almost  empty. 

If  pressure  be  now  suddenly  and  completely  removed,  blood 
is  ^igorously  forced  into  the  paralyzed  vessels,  and  may  thus 
rupture  their  walls.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  saddle  is  allowed 
to  remain  some  time  in  position,  circulation  is  gradually  restored 
without  injury. 

As  soon  as  the  swelling  is  noticed,  the  application  of  cold  ia 
the  form  of  pads  kept  saturated  with  cold  water  and  massage  ia 
the  f onn  of  gentle  stroking  with  the  fingers  will  aid  the  absorp- 
tion of  the  swelling. 

Injuries  to  the  withers  require  different  treatment— cold  appli- 
cations without  pressure  and  without  massage. 

A  solution  made  of  the  following  is  a  very  good  application  for 
bruises:  Sugar  of  lead  1  ounce,  laudanum  4  oimces,  water  to 
make  1  quart.  To  be  applied  several  trmes  daily.  Or  a  poultice 
made  of  flaxseed  meal,  to  which  has  been  added  an  antiseptic, 
such  as  creolin,  carbolic  acid,  etc. 

Bruises  of  the  neck  and  shoulders  of  artillery  horses  may  be 
treated  in  the  same  manner:  if  the  skin  is  broken  or  chafed  bathe 
with  cold  water  to  which  creolin  is  added  in  the  proportion  of  1 
to  oO.  and  then  apply  iodoform  3  parts,  tannic  acid  1  part,  or 
acetanilid  and  boric  acid  m  equal  parts. 

The  artillery  horse  is  sometimes  subject  to  the  same  bruises 
caused  by  the  saddle  as  a  cavalry  horse,  and  should  be  treated  in 
the  same  manner. 

The  white  lotion,  composed  of  1  ounce  each  of  sugar  of  lead 
and  sulphate  of  zinc,  water  1  quart,  is  a  most  excellent  remedy 
for  abrasions. 

BRUISES   OF   THE   SOLE   AND   HEEL. 

These  are  quite  frequent,  and  should  be  treated  by  hot  or  cold 
applications,  best  applied  by  holding  the  foot  in  a  tub  or  pail  of 
water,  or  have  the  foot  incased  la  a  flaxseed-meal  poultice. 

CAPPED  ELBOW — SHOE  BOIL. 

This  is  a  bruise  at  the  point  of  the  elbow,  and  is  caused  by  the 
horse  hung  on  his  shoe;  remove  the  cause  by  placing  a  large  roll 
around  the  pastern  at  night,  and  the  application  of  tincture  of 
iodine  twice  daily,  until  the  swelling  is  removed. 


46 


CAPPED  HOCK. 


A  swelling,  more  or  less  soft,  found  on  the  point  of  the  hock, 
and  usually  caused  by  kicking  in  the  stall,  or  by  bruising  the 
parts  during  transportation  by  rail  or  sea.  Tincture  of  iodine  is 
a  very  good  remedy  for  this  injury. 

Only  in  extreme  cases  is  it  advisable  to  use  the  knife  in  the  treat- 
ment of  shoe  boils  and  capped  hock.  As  soon  as  the  parts  are 
opened  pus  rapidly  forms,  and  the  inflammation  (infection  by 
germs)  may  extend  to  the  inner  structures,  and  we  may  have  a 
condition  that  will  not  readily  yield  to  treatment. 

Bruises  caused  by  kicks  or  running  against  an  obstacle  should 
be  treated  by  applications  of  water,  and  if  painful  an  anodyne 
liniment  applied.  The  following  makes  a  good  anodyne:  V/itch- 
hazel  2  parts,  tincture  opium  1  part,  tincture  aconite  34  part, 
water  2  parts.     Apply  locally. 

SITFAST. 

Sitfasts  are  dry,  dead,  circumscribed  portions  of  the  skin,  and 
may  involve  the  deeper  tissue;  they  are  caused  by  continuous 
pressure  of  the  saddle,  cinch,  or  collar;  may  be  situated  on  the 
side  of  the  body,  back,  side  of  withers,  shoulder,  or  neck. 

Treat)} lent.— With,  the  knife  remove  all  dead  and  bruised  tis- 
sue, stimulate  the  sore  at  the  sides  by  the  use  of  lunar  caustic,  and 
treat  as  a  common  wound.  When  there  is  no  more  formation  of 
pus,  and  the  parts  are  perfectly  dry,  do  not  apply  liquids,  but  use 
iodoform  until  well. 

FISTULOUS  WITHERS, 

Fistulous  withers  is  an  abscess  having  a  more  or  less  chronic 
discharge  of  pus  from  one  or  more  openings  situated  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  withers;  it  may  involve  only  the  soft 
structures,  or  the  bones  may  also  be  affected;  it  is  caused  by  a 
bruise  from  an  ill-fitting  saddle. 

Treatment.— The  knife  must  be  freely  used;  cut  away  all  dead 
and  bruised  tissue,  and  make  a  large  opening  down  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  abscess  so  as  to  allow  of  good  drainage;  unless  this 
precaution  is  taken  pus  will  burrow  into  the  deeper  structures, 
and  may  eventually  find  its  way  under  the  shoulder  blades.  Re- 
move all  particles  of  diseased  bone,  if  any,  and  treat  as  a  common 
wound. 


47 


POLL   EVIL. 


Is  similar  to  fistulous  withers,  but  situated  on  the  poll,  and  will 
3rield  to  the  same  treatment. 


CHAPTER  V. 

DISEASES   OF  THE   RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM   AND 
IXFL.UEXZA. 

ACUTE  NASAL  CATARRH. 

Acute  nasal  catarrh  (simple  cold  in  the  head)  is  usually  pro- 
duced by  cold  caused  by  standing  in  a  draft,  and  may  be  detected 
by  the  discharge  from  the  nostrils.  It  is  usually  accompanied 
by  a  cough,  loss  of  appetite,  and  elevation  of  temperature  (fever). 
The  discharge  is  at  first  of  the  consistency  of  water,  but  may  in 
severe  cases  become  much  thicker,  and  form  dry  crusts  on  the 
edges  of  the  nostrils. 

Treatment. — The  mild  form  does  not  require  treatment;  it  ends 
rapidly  in  a  cure.  In  severe  cases,  fumigation  (steaming)  with 
hot  water,  to  which  is  added  a  small  quantity  (1  ounce  to  3^2  V^^ 
of  hot  water)  of  creolin  or  carbolic  acid,  constitutes  an  excellent 
local  treatment.  Give  bran  mashes,  and  administer  twice  daily 
1  teaspoonful  of  saltpeter,  or  1  tablespoonful  of  chloride  of 
ammonia  until  the  animal  has  recovered.  If  the  cough  is  fre- 
quent and  the  horse  has  difficulty  in  swallowing,  the  following 
liniment  should  be  applied  to  the  throat:  Ammonia  1  part,  oil 
of  turpentine  1  part,  olive  oil  2  parts.     Apply  twice  daily. 

CHRONIC  NASAL  CATARRH. 

Usually  an  unfavorable  termination  of  simple  catarrh;  or  it 
may  be  the  result  of  injury  and  chronic  inflammation  of  the 
nasal  cavities,  tumors,  parasites,  abscesses,  etc.,  of  the  nasal  cav- 
ities, diseases  of  the  teeth,  and  chronic  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
(breathing)  apparatus  in  general,  and  chronic  constitutional 
diseases. 

Symptoms. — The  discharge  is  quite  thick  and  becomes  glued  to 
the  sides  of  the  nostrils;  its  color  varies  from  a  dirty  to  a  yellow- 
ish gray;   it  frequently  has  a  fetid    (foul)  odor:   the  quantity 


48 

varies;  the  (lischarge  is  usually  from  one  nostril,  but  both  may 
be  affected:  in  very  old  cases  small  ulcers  may  occasionally  be 
seen  in  the  nostrils;  they  are  superficial  and  defined  by  sharp 
edges  that  are  not  thickened,  and  heal  without  leaving  a  scar. 
The  ulcer  of  glanders  may  be  found  in  the  nostril,  but  the  edges 
are  shaped  like  saw  teeth,  and  when  healed  a  jagged  scar  remains. 
Treatment.— It  is  essentially  local  and  comprises  the  following 
means:  Fumigation  (steaming)  with  hot  water,  to  which  may 
be  added  '2  ounces  of  creolin  or  2  ounces  of  carbolic  acid  to  a  half- 
bucketful  of  water,  steaming  to  continue  at  least  one-half  hour 
t^\T.ce  daily,  and  the  injection  into  the  nostril  or  nostrils  of  the 
follo^^ng:  A  5  per  cent  solution  of  creolin  or  a  one-half  per  cent 
solution  nitrate  of  silver  three  times  daily,  or  iodoform  may  be 
blown  into  the  nose.  In  most  cases,  when  the  discharge  is  from 
one  nostril  only,  an  operation  is  necessary  to  effect  a  cure.  As 
the  symptoms  of  this  disease  are  so  similar  to  glanders,  the  ani- 
mal should  be  isolated.  The  utensils,  such  as  buckets,  forks, 
brooms,  currycombs,  blankets,  etc.,  should  not  be  used  about 
other  horses. 

PHARYNGITIS  AND   LARYNGITIS — SORE  THROAT. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lining  membrane  immediately 
in  the  rear  of  the  mouth  and  is  caused  by  irritating  bodies  bruis- 
ing the  tissues,  cold,  sudden  changes  in  the  temperature,  and 
infection. 

Symptoms. — Diminution  of  the  appetite,  cough,  stiffness  of  the 
head,  soreness  when  pressure  is  applied  to  the  throat,  a  consid- 
erable amount  of  mucous  and  saliva  in  the  mouth,  escaping  in 
long,  transparent  threads.  Drinks  are  ejected  through  the  nose 
and  are  often  of  a  greenish  color  and  contain  quantities  of  food. 
Swallo\\dng  of  liquids  is  painful.  Temperature  may  range  from 
normal  to  106'  F.,  with  difficulty  in  breathing. 

Treatment.— ThQ  sick  animal  should  be  separated  from  the 
well  ones  and  be  placed  in  a  comfortable  box  stall,  free  from 
drafts,  but  well  ventilated,  and  should  be  given  green  food  or 
very  fine  hay,  steamed  oats,  bran,  or  flour  slops:  fresh  water 
should  be  left  ^uthin  reach. 

The  lips  and  nostrils  should  be  kept  perfectly  clean  and  the 
mouth  washed  frequently  with  fresh  water,  to  which  may  be 
added  a  little  vinegar  or  salt.     Cold  compresses  should  be  used 


49 

if  the  parts  are  hot,  tender,  and  painful.  If  an  abscess  is  likely 
to  form,  poultices  of  linseed  meal  may  be  applied,  and  the  abcess, 
when  ready,  should  be  opened,  but  never  with  a  knife.  Cut 
through  the  skin  only  and  then  insert  a  blunt  instrument,  or  the 
finger,  and  allow  the  pus  to  escape. 

If  the  animal  breathes  with  great  difficulty,  manifested  by 
making  a  loud,  wheezing  sound,  an  opening  should  be  made  in  his 
windpipe,  the  edges  of  the  opening  held  apart  by  inserting  a  suture 
in  both  sides,  and  tied  up  over  the  neck,  or  a  tube  may  be  inserted 
in  the  opening. 

The  patient  should  never  be  drenched. 

Fever  may  be  combatted  by  cold-water  injections  into  the  rec- 
tum, 1  to  2  gallons  at  a  time. 

STRANGLES,  COMMONLY   CALLED   "DISTEMPER." 

Strangles  of  the  horse  is  an  acute,  infectious  disease.  It  usually 
attacks  young  horses. 

Symptoms. — The  disease  begins  with  a  high  fever,  ranging  from 
104  to  106';  a  discharga  from  the  nose,  at  first  watery,  rapidly 
b3coming  thicker,  and  later  assuming  a  w^hitish-gray  or  greenish- 
yellow  color.  The  glands  below  the  lower  jaw  become  swollen, 
hot,  and  painful;  loss  of  appetite,  depression,  great  muscular 
weakness,  and  swelling  of  the  hind  legs  follow.  Sometimes  a 
-swelling  may  be  found  on  some  portion  of  the  windpipe. 

Treatment. — Separate  the  sick  animal  from  the  well  ones  and 
place  him  in  a  well-ventilated  stall,  free  from  drafts;  clean  the 
nostrils  frequently;  clothe  the  body  according  to  the  season  of 
the  year:  open  the  abscess  as  soon  as  pus  is  formed  and  wash  it 
twice  daily. 

Give  easily  digested  food,  green  fodder,  roots,  or  slops  made  of 
bran  or  steamed  oats,  and  in  his  drinking  water  3^  ounce  of  salt- 
peter, but  do  not  drench,  as  the  throat  in  many  cases  is  sore,  and 
if  the  horse  should  cough  while  taking  medicine  in  that  way  it 
might  enter  the  lungs  and  cause  pneumonia. 

PNEUMONIA  (lung  FEVER). 

Pneumonia  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lung  structure,  and  runs 
a  course  of  from  seven  to  ten  days. 

C'liises. — Among  the  external  causes  of  the  disease  we  must  par- 
ticularly mention  excessive  exertion  and  cold;  also  carelessness 
in  giving  a  drench,  particularly  if  the  animal  has  a  sore  throat. 

6829 4 


50 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptom  is  an  intense  fever  accompa- 
nied by  a  chill,  which  is  marked  by  great  fatigue  and  muscular 
weakness;  temperature  ranges  from  103'  to  107%  the  appetite 
is  diminished,  at  times  almost  wanting;  the  patient  is  constipated, 
breathing  is  rapid  and  difficult;  the  nostrils  are  much  dilated, 
and  expired  air  is  warmer  than  usual.  There  is  frequently  a 
reddish  or  yellowish  discharge  (rusty  discharge)  from  the  nose. 
The  animal  remains  standing  constantly,  with  the  forelegs 
spread,  or  it  may  lie  down  for  a  short  time  only;  a  cough  may 
or  may  not  be  present. 

Treatment. — Great  care  should  be  given  to  the  diet;  give  any 
food  that  the  animal  will  eat,  try  and  keep  up  the  strength; 
steamed  oats,  carrots,  or  green  grass  if  possible,  gruel,  etc. 
Place  in  a  well- ventilated  box  stall  free  from  drafts,  and  clothe 
body  and  legs  according  to  the  season  of  the  year;  warm  blankets 
wrapped  around  the  chest  if  the  weather  is  not  too  hot  will  be  of 
advantage.  In  warm  weather,  if  flies  are  troublesome,  a  thin 
sheet  made  of  gunny  sacks  should  be  placed  upon  the  animal. 
If  the  fever  is  very  high  give  acetanilid,  2  to  4  drams  every  six 
hours  until  the  fever  is  reduced.  Quinine  sulphate  1  dram,  gen- 
tian root  2  drams,  make  a  good  tonic.  It  should  be  repeated 
three  times  daily. 

Cold  injections  into  the  rectum  will  reduce  the  fever. 

In  old,  debilitated  animals,  alcohol  in  a  dose  of  4  to  5  ounces 
should  be  given  in  the  drinking  water.  Do  not  push  the  acetan- 
ilid, as  it  has  a  tendency  to  weaken  the  heart.  If  the  heart  is 
weak  1-dram  doses  of  fluid  ext.  digitalis  should  be  given  twice 
daily. 

INFLUENZA    (PINK    EYE). 

Influenza  is  a  contagious  disease.  It  affects  first  the  respiratory 
tract,  but  also  involves  the  nerve  centers,  circulatory  system,  the 
lining  membranes  of  the  intestines,  and  the  eyes. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptoms  are  loss  of  appetite,  depres- 
sion and  weakness;  the  temperature  rises  rapidly  to  105""  or  107' 
in  severe  cases;  the  animals  hold  their  heads  low  and  have  a  stupid 
look;  they  stagger  when  walking,  and  the  visible  mucous  mem- 
branes are  of  a  yellowish  tinge. 

When  the  digestive  organs  are  affected  colics  are  observed 
quite  frequently.  In  the  beginning  constipation  is  the  rule,  the 
dung  is  coated  with  a  whitish-yellow  or  mucous  layer;   later 


51 

diarrhea  occurs;  the  dung  is  doughy,  soft,  or  liquid.  The  eye- 
hds  are  sometimes  swollen  shut  and  are  hot  and  sensitive  to  the 
touch.  The  legs  and  sheath  are  sometimes  swollen  and  the  lower 
portion  of  the  belly  may  be  similarly  affected. 

Treatment. — Isolate  sick  animals  for  their  own  comfort  and  the 
safety  of  healthy  subjects,  as  influenza  is  usually  a  serious  dis- 
ease. Diet,  hygienic  care,  and  a  regulated  ventilation  of  the 
stables  are  sufficient.  The  fever  may  be  reduced  by  rectal  injec- 
tions of  cold  water. 

Intestinal  troubles  may  be  relieved  by  the  administration  of 
bicarbonate  of  soda  in  dram  doses  three  times  daily:  if  pain  is 
very  severe,  2  drams  of  cannabis  indica  may  be  given.  Bathe 
the  eyes,  if  swollen,  with  warm  water.  Good  nursing  and  laxa- 
tive food  are  essential,  cold  water  being  kept  where  the  animal 
can  help  itself. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTFV^E,  URIXARY,  :NERV0US, 

and  eymphatic  systems. 

Diseases  of  the  Digestive  System, 
spasmodic  colic — gripes. 

Spasmodic  colic  is  a  painful  contraction  of  the  intestine.  The 
usual  seat  of  the  trouble  is  the  small  intestine,  and  it  is  usually 
caused  by  internal  or  external  cold. 

Symptoms. — The  suffering  is  very  violent  but  of  short  duration; 
the  spasms  appear  suddenly  and  disappear  with  the  same  rapidity. 
The  horse  paws,  stamps,  looks  around  at  his  flanks,  lies  down  and 
rolls,  and  if  the  pain  is  very  severe,  sweats  profusely.  During 
the  attack  a  few  pellets  of  dung  may  be  passed,  and  attempts  to 
pass  urine  are  frequently  made.  This  latter  symptom  has  misled 
many  persons,  they  being  under  the  impression  that  the  disease 
was  located  in  the  "  urinary  organs." 

Treatment. — Place  the  animal  in  a  large,  well-bedded  stall  and 
give  the  following:  Cannabis  indica  2  to  4  drams,  aromatic  spirits 
ammonia  1  ounce,  water  to  make  1  pint.  Or,  fluid  extract  bella- 
donna 2  drams,  nitrous  ether  2  ounces,  water  to  make  1  pint. 


52 

Either  one  of  these  prescriptions  can  be  given  at  one  dose  and  re- 
peated in  three-quarters  of  an  hour. 

Wami-water  injections,  per  rectum,  are  often  of  advantage. 

Morphine  is  an  excellent  remedy. 

FLATULENT   COLIC. 

Flatulent  colic  is  generally  due  to  the  animal  having  eaten  food 
that  is  especially  fermentable.  This  form  of  colic  is  quite  fre- 
quently observed  in  horses  that  have  the  habit  of  wind  sucking. 

Syinjjtoms. — The  rajiid  swelling  of  the  belly  constitutes  the 
characteristic  symptom.  The  abdomen  is  distended,  the  pain  is 
not  so  severe  as  in  spasmodic  colic,  but  more  constant.  With 
the  increase  of  swelling  the  breathing  becomes  more  difficult, 
anxiety  and  restlessness  are  shown,  the  walk  is  painful,  and  the 
animal  staggers,  lies  down  and  rolls,  but  only  for  a  short  time. 

Treatment. — Place  the  horse  in  a  large,  roomy  stall,  and  give 
the  following  drench:  Sulphuric  ether  2  ounces,  aromatic  spirits 
of  ammonia  1  ounce,  fluid  extract  belladonna  2  drams,  water 
to  make  1  pint.  Repeat  in  one  hour  if  necessary.  Cold-water 
injections  into  the  rectum  are  sometimes  of  advantage.  If  the 
abdomen  is  very  much  distended  with  gas,  the  trocar  and  the 
canula  must  be  used.  This  is  an  instrument  for  puncturing  the 
intestine,  but  should  be  used  only  by  one  having  a  knowledge  of 
the  operation.  The  instrument,  as  well  as  the  seat  of  the  opera- 
tion, should  be  thoroughly  disinfected. 

INFLAMMATION   OF  THE  BOWELS. 

Cause. — This  disease  is  sometimes  due  to  the  action  of  cold  in 
all  its  forms:  sudden  chilling  when  the  body  is  in  a  perspiring 
condition,  the  swallowing  of  very  cold  water,  of  frosted  or 
frost-covered  or  moldy  fodder,  etc.  It  is  sometimes  a  compli- 
cation of  colics  and  is  frequently  seen  as  a  result  of  impaction 
or  twisting  of  the  bowels. 

Symptoms. — The  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose,  mouth,  and 
eyes  is  congested  and  reddened,  the  mouth  is  hot  and  dry.  Res- 
piration is  increased,  pulse  is  hard  and  rapid,  temperature  is  ele- 
vated, 103°  to  lOo""  F.  Colicky  pains  are  continuous;  the  horse 
walks  about  the  stall,  paws,  lies  down  carefully,  rolls,  and  tries 
to  balance  himself  on  his  back.  As  a  rule  the  bowels  are  con- 
stipated, but  when  this  disease  is  due  to  irritating  foods  or  medi- 
cines purgation  and  flatulency  may  be  present. 


53 

The  small,  hard  pulse;  high  temperature;  aged  and  anxious 
appearance  of  the  head;  continuous  pain,  which  is  increased  upon 
pressure;  position  of  the  horse  when  down,  and  coldness  of  the 
ears  and  legs,  ^411  enable  anyone  to  diagnose  a  case  of  enteritis 
(inflammation  of  the  bowels) .  When  mortification  (death)  of  the 
bowels  sets  in,  all  pain  ceases  and  the  animal  will  stand  quietly, 
sometimes  for  several  hours.  Toward  the  last  he  sighs,  breathes 
hard,  staggers  and  pitches  about,  and  dies  in  a  state  of  delirium. 

It  is  af  very  serious  disease  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  proves 
fatal.     Death  takes  place  in  from  six  hours  to  several  days. 

Treatment.— To  control  the  pain  give  large  doses  of  powdered 
opium,  laudanum,  or  cannabis  indica. 

The  following  prescription  is  recommended:  Opium,  powdered, 
2  drams;  calomel,  %  dram.  Make  into  a  ball:  give  at  once, 
and  repeat  in  one  or  two  hours  if  necessary.  Blankets  wrung 
out  in  hot  water  and  applied  to  the  abdomen  are  sometimes  of 
benefit,  but  to  obtain  good  results  they  must  be  kept  hot  for  sev- 
eral hours. 

CHRONIC  INDIGESTION. 

Chronic  indigestion  is  a  chronic  cartarrh  of  the  stomach  and 
bowels,  the  cause  of  which  is  irregularity  in  feeding  and  water- 
ing; feeding  when  the  animal  is  in  an  exhausted  condition;  im- 
perfect mastication  and  incomplete  salivation  of  food  due  to 
irregularities  of  the  grinding  surfaces  of  the  molar  teeth,  and 
food  of  a  poor  quality,  deficient  in  nutriment. 

The  presence  of  worms  is  a  frequent  cause  of  this  d:'s3ase. 

Symptoms.— A-^^QiiiQ  diminished  or  capricious  and  depraved, 
freciuent  gapings,  constipation;  periodic  colics  are  frequently  ob- 
served, the  coat  is  rough  and  staring,  and  the  skin  is  tightly  adher- 
ent to  the  body,  being  the  condition  known  as  "hidebound." 
The  animal  has  an  unthrifty  appearance  generally. 

Treatment. — Give  small  quantities  of  good,  nutritious,  and 
well-salted  food  three  times  daily. 

The  water  should  be  pure  and  given  regularly. 

Regular  exercise  and  good  grooming  will  hasten  recovery,  by 
stimulating  the  skin  as  well  as  other  parts  of  the  body. 

If  the  appetite  is  diminished  give  such  tonics  as  gentian,  iron, 
nux  vomica,  and  nitrate  of  potash.  Gentian  2  ounces,  iron  sul- 
phate 1  ounce,  nux  vomica  13^  ounces,  nitrate  potash  13^  ounces. 
Mix.    Make  twelve  powders.     Give  one  powder  twice  a  day. 


54 

Bicarbonate  of  soda  is  a  very  useful  medicine  to  counteract  the 
acidity  (sourness)  of  the  stomach.     Dose,  one  dram  twice  a  day/ 
and  may  be  continued  for  several  days. 

If  intestinal  worms  are  the  exciting  cause,  they  must  be  re- 
moved and  until  this  has  been  accomplished  the  animal  will  retain 
its  unthrifty  condition  although  it  may  brighten  u]5  temporarily. 

The  following  prescription  is  recommended:  Spirits  turpentine 
2  ounces,  oil  linseed  4  ounces.  Give  before  feeding  and  repeat 
once  a  day  for  four  days;  then  follow  up  with  1  pint  of  linseed  oil. 

DIARRHEA. 

This  term  is  applied  to  all  cases  of  simple  purging  in  w^hich  the 
feces  (dung)  are  loose,  liquid,  and  frequently  discharged. 

Diarrhea  may  be  a  spontaneous  effort  to  discharge  from  the 
intestines  something  w^hich  is  obnoxious  to  them  or  the  system 
generally.  It  is  caused  by  various  agencies,  such  as  indigestible 
food,  sudden  change  of  diet— particularly  from  a  dry  to  a  moist 
one— medicinal  substances,  worms,  derangement  of  the  liver,  or 
large  drafts  of  water  when  the  animal  is  heated.  Some  ani- 
mals are  particularly  predisposed  to  diarrhea  from  tri\^al  causes. 
Narrow-loined,  fiat-sided,  and  loosely-coupled  horses— that  is  to 
say,  horses  in  which  the  distance  betw^een  the  point  of  the  hip 
and  last  rib  is  long— and  those  w^hich  are  of  a  nervous  tempera- 
ment are  apt  to  purge  without  apparent  cause.  These  are  called 
washy  horses.  They  are  hard  to  keep  in  condition  and  require 
the  best  of  food. 

Symptoms.— 'Purging,  the  fecal  matter  being  semifluid,  of  a 
dirty-brown  color,  without  offensive  odor,  or  clay-colored  and 
fetid.  If  the  condition  contijiues  long  the  animal  loses  flesh  and 
the  appetite  is  wanting. 

Treatment.— When  the  purging  arises  from  the  presence  of 
some  offending  matter  in  the  intestinal  canal  (sand,  worms,  un- 
digested food,  bad  w^ater,  etc.)  its  expulsion  must  be  aided  by  a 
moderate  dose  of  linseed  oil  {1^4  pints). 

If  the  purging  arises  from  no  apparent  cause,  or  if  the  bowels 
do  not  regain  their  normal  condition  after  the  action  of  the  oil 
has  subsided,  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  astringents,  such  as 
tannic  acid,  1  to  2  drams,  or  the  following  prescription  may  be 
used:  Gum  camphor  1  ounce,  opium,  powdered,  1  ounce.  Mix. 
Make  eight  powders  and  give  one  powder  every  three  or  four 


55 

hours,  according  to  the  severity  of  the  case.  Great  care  nrnst  be 
exercised,  as  evil  results  may  follow  if  the  bowels  are  checked 
too  soon. 

Diseases  of  the  Urixary  System. 

inflammation  of  the  kidneys — acute  nephritis. 

Causes. — It  is  at  times  produced  by  the  action  of  cold;  it  also 
happens  frequently  in  the  course  of  infectious  diseases.  It  is 
then  the  result  of  renal  (kidney)  elimination  of  irritating  prod- 
ucts (waste  materials,  etc.) :  irritating  medicines,  such  as  turpen- 
tine, absorption  of  cantharides  from  a  large  blistered  surface; 
molds,  rust  (in  feed) ,  etc. 

Symjitonis. — The  most  important  and  often  the  only  manifes- 
tations of  nephritis  (in  the  course  of  infectious  diseases,  for 
instance,)  are  furnished  by  the  urine.  Its  quantity  is  diminished; 
it  is  thickened;  of  abnormal  color;  occasionally  it  is  the  color  of 
blood.  Micturation  (pissing)  is  painful;  the  urine  often  runs  off 
drop  by  drop  only,  notwithstanding  the  violent  efforts  made  by 
the  patient.  In  serious  cases  the  urinary  secretion  may  be  com- 
pletely suppressed. 

The  lumbar  region  is  very  sensitive  to  the  j^ressure  of  the 
hand.  At  the  beginning  of  the  disease  we  often  find  renal  (kid- 
ney) colics.  The  back  is  arched,  the  gait  stiff  and  staggering, 
rising  is  painful;  the  animal  remains  almost  constantly  stand- 
ing. The  appetite  m.ay  be  lost.  The  temperature  is  elevated;  in 
some  cases  it  may  range  very  high. 

Treatmeuf. — Remove  the  cause  if  possible;  give  absolute  rest, 
and  avoid  all  irritating  food  or  medicines.  Try  to  induce  sweat- 
ing by  energetic  rubbings  upon  the  surface  of  the  whole  body; 
also  by  warm  blankets,  wet.  tepid  compresses  applied  upon  the 
trunk.  Give  the  following  physic;  it  has  a  most  favorable 
action,  because  it  will  draw  a  large  quantity  of  water  from  the 
organism:  Aloes  6  drams,  calomel  1  dram,  ginger  1  dram.  Sig: 
Make  into  a  ball  and  give  at  one  dose. 

If  there  is  a  total  suppression  of  urine,  3^  ounce  of  fluid  extract 
digitalis,  well  rubbed  in  on  each  side  of  the  loins  over  the  kidneys, 
will  have  a  beneficial  effect  by  stimulating  the  kidneys  without 
causing  irritation.  This  application  should  not  be  used  more  than 
once.  . 


5() 

DIABETES  INSIPIDUS— SIMPLE   DIABETES    (PISSING). 

A  disease  characterized  by  great  thirst,  excessive  urination,  and 
great  languor  and  emaciation. 

In  the  majority  of  cases  it  is  caused  by  poor  (tainted)  food.  In 
some  cases  it  seems  to  be  due  to  a  constitutional  cause. 

Symptoms.— Excefisive  urination,  from  6  to  12  gallons  every 
twenty-four  hours;  great  thirst,  the  animal  sometimes  drinking 
from  20  to  25  gallons  of  water  in  twenty-four  hours;  depraved 
appetite;  urine  of  a  very  pale  color,  sometimes  as  clear  as  water; 
the  skin  is  harsh  and  the  coat  is  unhealthy  looking. 

Treatment. — Give  good,  clean,  and  nutritious  food.  Administer 
iodine  in  2-dram  doses  twice  a  day  and  diminish  quantity  as  the 
thirst  is  lessened  and  the  urine  is  diminished. 

RETENTION   OF  THE  URINE. 

An  inability,  total  or  partial,  to  expel  by  natural  effort  the 
urine  contained  in  the  bladder.  It  is  caused  by  spasm  of  the  neck 
of  the  bladder,  and  is  often  a  complication  of  colic. 

Symptoms.— FrQqa&nt  and  ineffectual  attempts  to  urinate;  if 
standing  the  animal  will  stretch  itself  out.  strain  violently,  and 
groan  \vdth  pain,  discharging  but  a  few  drops  of  urine,  or  none  at 
all:  examination  per  rectum  shows  the  bladder  greatly  distended, 
the  distension  of  the  bladder  being  the  diagnostic  symptom. 

Treatment.— VasR  the  catheter  and  draw  off  the  urine.  If  re- 
tention of  urine  is  due  to  an  accumulation  of  dirt  in  the  penis  it 
must  be  removed  by  washing.  A  horse  will  normally  pass  from 
4  to  6  quarts  of  urine  every  twenty-four  hours. 

Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System. 
congestion  of  the  brain — megrims. 

This  disease  is  caused  by  an  accumulation  of  blood  in  the  vessels 
of  the  brain,  due  to  some  obstacle  to  its  return  to  the  veins. 

Causes.— Disease  of  the  heart,  excessive  exertion,  the  influence 
of  extreme  heat,  sudden  and  great  excitement,  artificial  stimu- 
lants, by  any  mechanical  obstruction  which  prevents  the  return 
of  blood  through  the  veins  to  the  heart,  such  as  a  small  ill-fitting 
collar,  which  often  impedes  the  blood  current,  tumors  or  abscesses 
pressing  on  the  vein  in  its  course,  extreme  fat— such  animals 


57 

and  those  "with  short,  thick  necks  being  especially  liable  to 
attacks  of  congestion  of  the  brain,  compression  of  the  distended 
vascular  structures  (arterial  capillaries)  by  an  abnormal  gaseous 
tension  in  the  stomach  and  intestine,  over-feeding  after  a  pro- 
longed abstinence  or  when  the  exercise  is  insufficient,  and  foods 
difficult  of  digestion. 

Symptoms. — Congestion  of  the  brain  is  usually  sudden  in  its 
manifestation  and  of  short  duration. 

The  animal  may  stop  very  suddenly  and  shake  his  head,  or 
stand  quietly  braced  on  his  legs,  then  stagger,  make  a  plunge 
and  fall:  the  eyes  are  staring,  breathing  hurried  and  snoring, 
nostrils  widely  dilated:  this  may  be  followed  by  coma  (insensi- 
bility), violent  convulsive  movement,  and  death. 

Generally,  however,  the  animal  gains  relief  in  a  short  time, 
but  he  may  remain  weak  and  giddy  for  several  days.  If  it  is 
due  to  organic  change  in  the  heart  or  disease  of  the  blood  vessels 
in  the  brain  the  symptoms  may  be  of  slow  development,  mani- 
fested by  drowsiness,  diminished  or  impaired  vision,  difficulty 
in  voluntary  movemsnts,  diminished  sensibility  of  the  skin,  loss 
of  consciousness,  delirium,  and  death. 

Treatment. — Prompt  removal  of  all  mechanical  obstruction  to 
the  circulation.  If  it  is  due  to  venous  obstruction  by  too  tight 
a  collar,  the  loosening  of  the  collar  will  give  immediate  relief. 
If  due  to  tumors  or  abscesses,  a  surgical  operation  becomes  neces- 
eary  to  afford  relief.  To  relieve  the  animal,  if  he  becomes  par- 
tially or  totally  unconscious,  cold  water  should  be  dashed  on  the 
head  and  if  this  does  not  afford  relief,  recourse  must  be  had  to 
bleeding  to  lessen  arterial  tension.  If  symptoms  of  paralysis 
remain  after  two  or  three  days,  an  active  cathartic  (1  ounce 
aloes)  and  iodide  of  potassium  should  be  given  in  1-dram  doses 
three  times  daily.  Place  the  animal  in  a  cool,  dark,  well- 
ventilated  stable,  keep  him  perfectly  quiet,  and  give  cooling  diet. 

SUNSTROKE. 

Sunstroke  is  a  cerebral  trouble  which  is  produced  by  solar 
(sun)  rays  falling  directly  upon  the  cranium. 

HEATSTROKE. 

Heatstroke  is  caused  by  the  overheating  of  the  whole  body  and 
by  excessive  exertion. 


58 

Symptoms. — Sunstroke  is  manifested  suddenly;  the  animal 
stops,  drops  his  head,  begins  to  stagger,  the  breathing  is  marked 
by  great  snoring,  the  pulse  is  very  slow  and  irregular,  cold 
sweats  break  out  in  patches  on  the  surface  of  the  body,  and  the 
animal  often  dies  without  recovering  consciousness. 

In  heat  exhaustion  the  animal  usually  requires  urging  for  some 
time  previous  to  the  appearance  of  any  other  symptom.  Gen- 
erally perspiration  is  checked,  he  becomes  weak  in  his  gait,  the 
breathing  grows  hurried  or  panting,  the  eyes  watery  and  blood- 
shot, nostrils  dilated  and  highly  reddened  to  a  dark  purple  color, 
the  pulse  is  rapid  and  weak,  the  heart  bounding,  followed  by 
unconsciousness  and  death.  If  recovery  takes  i)lace  convalesence 
extends  over  a  long  period  of  time,  during  which  incoordination 
of  movement  may  be  present. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  in  the  application  of  cold 
in  the  form  of  ice,  or  cold  water  on  the  head,  cold  injections  per 
rectum,  and  the  administration  of  stimulants,  such  as  1  ounce 
carbonate  of  ammonia  with  2  ounces  alcohol;  repeat  in  one  hour 
if  necessary.     Place  the  animal  in  a  cool  and  shady  place. 

Diseases  of  the  Lymphatic  System. 

Acute  inflammation  of  the  lymph  gland  usually  occurs  in  con- 
nection with  some  inflammatory  process  in  the  region  from  which 
the  lymph  is  gathered. 

The  lymph  glands  between  the  branches  of  the  lower  jaw 
almost  invariably  become  affected  in  strangles,  nasal  catarrh 
(acute  or  chronic),  diseased  or  ulcerated  teeth.  Similar  results 
obtain  in  other  parts  of  the  body. 

Symi^toms. — The  glands  swell  and  become  painful  to  the  touch, 
the  connective  tissue  surrounding  them  becomes  involved,  sup- 
puration usually  takes  place,  and  one  or  more  abcesses  form.  If 
the  inflammation  is  of  a  milder  type,  the  swelling  may  disappear 
and  the  gland  will  resume  its  normal  condition  without  suppura- 
tion. The  temperature  will  be  elevated.  Sometimes  the  glands 
will  remain  hard  and  considerably  swollen  for  some  length  of 
time.     In  man  these  swollen  glands  are  known  as  kernels. 

In  tropical  countries  Ijnnph  glands  are  very  liable  to  become 
inflamed  and  diseased;  suppuration  rapidly  follows,  the  gland 
will  open,  discharge  its  accumulation  of  pus,  and  the  open  sore 
so  formed  will  be  healed  with  the  greatest  difficulty. 


59 

Treatment. — Fomentations  with  hot  water  will  relieve  the  sore- 
ness, unless  an  abcess  is  forming.  If  snch  is  known  to  be  the 
case  a  poultice  of  bran  or  flaxseed  meal  should  be  applied,  and  as 
soon  as  fluctuation  can  be  felt  a  free  opening  must  be  made  and 
the  abcess  washed  with  a  solution  of  bichloride  mercury  1-1000, 
or  creolin  1-50.  If  the  gland  does  not  suppurate,  the  enlargement 
may  be  reduced  by  tincture  of  iodine  applied  twice  daily. 

LYMPHANGITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  lymphatic  structures,  usually  affecting  the 
hind  leg,  very  seldom  the  fore  leg.  This  disease  is  very  sudden 
in  its  attack,  exceedingly  painful,  accompanied  by  a  high  tem- 
perature and  great  general  disturbance. 

Causes. — It  usually  attacks  well-fed  animals,  especially  after 
one  or  two  days'  rest,  and  in  such  cases  may  be  due  to  an  excess 
of  nutritious  elements  in  the  blood. 

Symjitoms. — The  first  s^nnptom  noticed  will  be  lameness  in  one 
leg  and  swelling  on  the  inside  of  the  thigh.  The  swelhng  grad- 
ally  surrounds  the  whole  limb,  continuing  downward  until  it 
reaches  the  foot.  The  limb  is  excessively  tender  to  the  touch 
and  is  held  up.  The  breathing  is  increased,  pulse  hard  and  quick 
(80  to  100),  and  the  temperature  may  reach  106\  The  bowels 
early  become  constipated  and  the  urine  scanty  and  high  colored. 
Occasionally  the  lymphatic  glands  (in  the  groin)  undergo  sup- 
puration, blood  poisoning  may  supervene  and  prove  fatal. 

Treatment. — Fomentations  with  warm  water,  to  be  continued 
for  one  hour  and  repeated  several  times  daily.  Give  a  physic 
(purgative)  composed  of  6  to  8  drams  of  aloes,  1  dram  ginger, 
and  water  to  make  a  ball.  Give  at  once.  After  the  physic  has 
operated  give  3^-ounce  doses  of  nitrate  of  potash  twice  daily. 
After  the  pain  abates,  moderate  exercise  and  massage  (hand 
rubbing)  will  be  of  benefit.  If  the  glands  suppurate,  open,  and 
wash  them  out  with  an  antiseptic.  The  irrigations  must  be  con- 
tinued until  the  gland  is  well. 


60 
CHAPTER  VII. 

MISCELLANEOUS  BISEASES. 

HEMORRHAGICA — PURPURA — PETECHIAL  FEVER. 

This  is  an  acute,  infectious  disease,  the  pathology  of  which  is 
as  yet  unknown.  It  is  characterized  by  numerous  petechicE 
(reddish  spots)  on  the  skin  and  mucous  membranes,  to  which 
phenomena  are  soon  added  swelling  of  the  skin  and  mucous 
membranes  and  infiltration  (an  exudation)  of  the  subcutaneous 
(under  the  skin)  connective  tissue.  Sometimes  it  is  primary;  in 
other  instances  it  follows  other  infectious  diseases,  strangles, 
pharyngitis,  contagious  pneumonia,  influenza,  etc. 

Symptoms. — Petechial  fever  is  generally  manifested  by  the 
appearance  upon  the  mucous  membranes  of  numerous  dark  red 
petechicB  (reddish  spots) ;  sometimes  they  are  insignificant  as  a 
flea  bite,  then  again  they  may  attain  the  size  of  a  pea  or  an  acorn; 
they  often  become  joined  and  form  spots  or  bands  of  variable 
length.  In  serious  cases  the  nasal  mucous  membrane  becomes 
affected  by  gangrene  (death  of  the  affected  spot)  or  covered  over 
with  ulcerations.  The  discharge  is  bloody  and  of  bad  aspect, 
breathing  is  very  laborious,  and  the  expired  air  has  a  fetid  odor. 
The  general  condition  sometimes  becomes  very  rapidly  aggra- 
vated; then,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  the  disease  ends  in  death. 

Corresponding  with  the  appearance  of  the  reddish  spots,  or  a 
few  days  later,  the  skin  becomes  swollen;  this  symptom,  which 
is  the  most  prominent,  is  often  the  first  symptom  noticed.  The 
swellings  on  the  skin  may  be  circumscribed,  and  will  range  in 
size  from  a  ten-cent  piece  to  a  silver  dollar;  they  are  usually 
upon  dependent  regions,  such  as  the  head,  extremities,  abdomen, 
sheath,  and  chest.  These  swellings  are  not  hot  and  only  slightly 
sensitive;  they  gradually  extend  until  they  grow  together  and  we 
have  in  a  few  hours  the  swelling  up  of  the  legs,  legs  and  belly, 
or  the  head,  to  an  enormous  size;  they  have  always  the  charac- 
teristic constricted  border,  which  looks  as  if  it  had  been  tied  with 
a  cord.  They  end  abruptly  and  are  sometimes  as  much  as  1  inch 
in  thickness. 

The  swelling  in  the  legs  will  cause  stiffness.  The  head  may  be 
swollen  to  an  enormous  size,  resembling  that  of  a  hippopotamus 
rather  than  that  of  a  horse;  the  caliber  of  the  nostril  may  be  so 


61 

lessened  as  to  cause  the  horse  to  breathe  with  difficulty.  The 
pulse,  if  altered  at  all.  is  a  little  weaker  than  usual,  the  appetite 
remains  normal  as  a  laile,  although  at  times  the  animal  will  have 
difficulty  in  mastication.  The  temperature  at  first  is  normal,  but 
in  a  few  days  it  may  have  reached  102',  103  ,  or  104'. 

Over  the  surface  of  the  skin  covering  the  swollen  parts  "^'e 
find  a  slight  serous  sweating,  which  loosens  the  epidermis  and 
dries,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  an  eruption  of  some  cutaneous 
(skin)  disease.  If  this  is  excessive  we  may  see  irritated  spots, 
followed  by  suppuration.  This  suppuration  may  become  exces- 
sive from  the  great  distension  and  loss  of  vitality  of  the  skin. 

Colics  may  sometimes  occur  during  the  course  of  this  disease. 

The  dung  is  ordinarily  coated. 

Later  the  pulse  may  beat  60  to  80  times  per  minute. 

High  temperatures  indicate  complications. 

The  mortality  is  about  oO  per  cent. 

Treatment. — Place  the  patient  in  a  clean,  well-ventilated,  roomy 
box  stall,  the  halter  and  surcingle  must  be  removed:  give  sloppy 
food,  clean  hay,  and  green  fodder  if  possible,  and  plenty  of  fresh 
pure  water  to  drink. 

When  the  legs  and  parts  of  the  body  are  covered  by  the  dried 
serum  the  surface  must  be  softened  by  the  application  of  cosmo- 
line,  to  which  may  be  added  a  small  amount  of  creolin  (1  to  50) 
or  of  carbolic  acid  (1  to  25). 

If  sloughing  has  taken  place,  the  sores  must  receive  surgical 
attention;  dead  tissue  must  be  removed  and  antiseptics  applied, 
such  as  creolin,  or  bichloride  of  mercury,  or  carbohc-acid  solu- 
tions. 

If  the  animal  has  great  difficulty  in  breathing,  we  must  resort 
to  the  use  of  the  tracheotomy  tube. 

Give  tonics  to  increase  the  appetite  and  try  to  sustain  the 
strength  of  the  animal.  Spirits  of  turpentine,  3  to  4  ounces,  given 
daily,  will  have  a  beneficial  effect  by  stimulating  the  heart  and 
kidneys:  sponge  the  head,  where  swollen,  with  either  ice-coldor 
very  warm  water;  repeat  this  several  times  daily. 

AZOTURIA — HEMOGLOBIXEMIA. 

Azoturia  is  not  a  disease  of  the  kidneys. 

The  principal  cause  of  azoturia  in  the  horse  is  the  action  of 
cold.    An  abnormal  sensitiveness  to  the  action  of  cold  is  acquired 


62 

by  a  rest  of  several  days  in  a  hot,  badly  ventilated,  and  damp 
stable,  and  the  animals  are  especially  predisposed  to  the  disease 
if,  during  the  time  of  inactivity,  they  have  been  given  full  rations. 
The  high  temperature  of  the  stables  acts  by  rendering  the  organ- 
ism less  resistant  to  cold. 

Symptoms. — They  consist  of  troubles  of  locomotion  (move- 
ment), which  appear  within  a  quarter  to  half  an  hour,  generally 
during  exercise. 

The  disease  commences  very  suddenly.  It  begins  in  an  unusual 
degree  of  restlessness,  with  profuse  perspiration,  which  symp- 
toms are  speedily  succeeded  by  a  desire  to  lie  down,  by  great 
sluggishness,  loss  of  motor  power  in  the  hind  limbs,  violent 
spasms  of  the  large  muscles  of  the  loins  and  thighs  and  hind 
quarters  or  the  shoulders.     The  pulse  usually  becomes  rapid. 

If  they  are  down  they  make  efforts  to  stand  up,  but  from  the 
total  loss  of  all  motor  power  in  the  hind  limbs  they  are  unable  to 
do  so. 

The  affected  muscles  are  swollen  and  very  hard. 

The  temperature  rarely  increases,  even  in  the  grave  form. 

The  appetite  is  seldom  diminished,  and,  as  a  rule,  they  will 
drink  large  quantities  of  water. 

The  urine  is  coffee  colored  and  generally  retained  in  the  blad- 
der. The  affected  muscles  may  atrophy,  especially  those  located 
above  the  stifle. 

Treatment. — When  the  disease  has  set  in  we  must  by  all  means 
give  the  animals  rest.  Keep  them  on  their  feet  if  possible.  If 
there  is  danger  of  the  horse  lying  down,  and  if  able  to  partially 
support  his  weight  on  his  hind  legs,  the  suspending  slings  must 
be  brought  into  use. 

Encourage  the  horse  to  drink  as  much  water  as  possible,  as 
this  will  assist  the  kidneys  in  carrying  the  poisonous  material  out 
of  the  blood.  A  ball  of  aloes  should  be  administered,  and  only 
good  hay  and  laxative  food  given.  We  must  avoid  food  that 
heats,  especially  oats  and  corn. 

In  the  first  stages,  if  the  pain  is  very  severe,  give  2  drams  of 
cannabis  indica  (fluid  extract).  If  the  animal  is  down  and  can 
not  get  up,  he  must  be  supplied  with  lots  of  bedding  and  fre- 
quently turned  from  side  to  side.  If  he  has  retention  of  urine  the 
bladder  must  be  emptied  several  times  daily;  this  can  be  accom- 
plished  by  passing   the   hand   into  the   rectum   and   applying 


63 

moderate  pressure  upon  the  bladder  or  by  the  introduction  of  the 
catheter. 

Preventive  treatment. — When  the  horse  is  left  resting  for 
twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours  or  longer,  the  food  ration  has  to 
be  diminished  and  the  animal  must  be  given  a  little  exercise 
in  the  open  air  every  day,  thus  keeping  the  animal  accustomed 
to  the  outside  temperature.  The  ventilation  of  the  stable  should 
be  arranged  in  such  a  way  as  to  avoid  drafts,  and  it  must  be  seen 
to  that  the  temperature  remains  moderate. 

GLANDERS   AND   FARCY. 

Glanders  is  one  of  the  equine  diseases  which  has  been  longest 
known. 

Glanders  and  farcy  are  one  and  the  same  disease. 

Glanders  is  the  name  given  to  this  disease  when  it  affects  the 
Schneiderian  membrane  and  internal  organs. 

Farcy,  so  called,  is  when  the  disease  is  located  in  the  lymphatic 
glands  situated  on  the  external  parts  of  the  body. 

Glanders  is  a  contagious  constitutional  disease  of  the  horse, 
ass,  and  mule,  rarely  communicated  to  other  animals.  This 
disease  is  due  to  the  "  bacillus  mallei." 

It  is  di"vdded  into  acute  and  chronic  glanders.  In  acute  glanders 
the  bacilli  enter  the  blood  and  the  disease  always  becomes  gen- 
eralized. 

Chronic  glanders. 

The  beginning  of  chronic  glanders  is  often  hidden  from  view 
and  passes  unobserved. 

The  first  symptom  is  generally  a  discharge  from  one  or  both 
nostrils  of  a  yellowish  green  matter  of  bad  aspect;  quite  fre- 
quently it  is  tinged  with  blood. 

Upon  the  Schneiderian  membrane  we  generally  observe  pimples 
and  ulcers.  The  lesions,  however,  may  appear  a  long  time  after 
the  beginning  of  the  disease.  The  pimples  are  of  short  duration: 
they  are  soon  transfonned  into  ulcers  more  or  less  deep,  with 
sawtooth-shaped,  thickened  edges;  these  may  heal,  but  will 
always  leave  a  scar. 

The  enlargement  of  the  lympathic  glands  situated  in  the  space 
between  the  lower  jaw  is  another  imj)ortant  symptom.  In  the 
beginning  the  gland  is  a  little  sensitive,  slightly  doughy,  and 
adherent  to  the  base  of  the  tongue  or  to  the  lower  maxillae;  in 


G4 

some  subjects  it  is  adherent  to  the  skin.  In  exceptional  cases 
the  enlargement  of  the  gland  is  wanting. 

The  general  health  of  the  animal  suffers  as  the  affection  pro- 
gresses; emaciation  appears;  the  hair  becomes  dull  and  bristly. 

We  frequently  observe  the  symptoms  of  asthma  and  the  patient 
becomes  rapidly  fatigued. 

Cough  is  frequently  present. 

Farcy. 

Farcy  is  more  rare  in  the  chronic  than  in  the  acute  form  of  the 
disease:  its  favorite  regions  are  the  inner  side  of  the  extremities, 
shoulders,  neck,  chest,  and  abdomen. 

The  pimples  and  tumors  vary  from  the  size  of  a  pea  to  that  of 
a  walnut,  or  larger;  they  suppurate  and  discharge  a  yellow,  sticky 
liquid  of  bad  aspect.  They  rarely  heal,  and  if  they  do  a  jagged 
scar  remains. 

Acute  glanders. 

Symptoms. — Acute  glanders  is  rare  in  the  horse  (10  per  cent). 
It  is,  on  the  contrary,  the  ordinary  form  in  the  ass  and  mule. 
Sometimes  it  appears  from  the  beginning,  in  other  instances 
it  follows  the  chronic  form,  where  the  vitality  of  the  animal  is 
lessened  by  other  acute  affections. 

It  runs  a  rapid  course,  producing  an  ulcerous  destruction  of 
the  respiratory  mucous  membrane,  and  also  involves  the  skin, 
lungs,  and  other  organs. 

The  disease  begins  with  a  chill,  followed  by  intense  fever,  which 
reaches  107"  F.  We  observe  a  sticky,  yellowish,  irritating,  bloody 
nasal  discharge.  The  nasal  mucous  membrane  is  overrun  with 
pimples  and  ulcers,  which  rapidly  join  one  another;  they  may 
parforate  the  septum  nasi.  The  respiration  is  rattling,  wheezing, 
and  moaning  (laryngeal  contraction);  to  these  symptoms  are 
often  added  those  of  farcy.  We  may  find  diarrhea.  The  patient 
is  extremely  weak  and  emaciation  progresses  rapidly. 

In  general,  acute  glanders  has  a  rapid  course:  its  usual  termi- 
nation is  in  death.  This  ordinarily  takes  place  within  from  three 
to  fourteen  days. 

In  the  horse  there  is  no  disease  of  which  an  exact  diagnosis  is 
so  important  as  that  of  glanders.  Other  horses  and  mules  are 
not  alone  liable  to  contract  the  disease  from  affected  animals;  it 
can  be  communicated  to  man  as  well. 


65 

In  order  to  correctly  diagnose  obscure  cases  (those  with  no  out- 
ward symptoms)  we  must  resort  to  the  use  of  mallein.  This  is  a 
liquid,  the  injection  of  which  will  cause  a  reaction  (rise  in  tem- 
parature)  in  glandered  horses  apparently  enjoying  the  best  of 
health. 

Treafmen  f. — This  disease  is  not  only  contagious  to  horses,  mules, 
and  men.  but  is  incurable  in  all  alike:  therefore  the  first  step  to 
be  taken  when  a  suspicious  case  presents  itself  is  to  isolate  the 
animal,  and  as  soon  as  you  are  satisfied  that  glanders  exists  the 
animal  should  be  killed  at  once  and  the  carcass  burned.  Every- 
thing in  the  way  of  partitions,  mangers,  feed  boxes,  buckets,  and 
all  stable  utensils  must  be  burned,  and  the  stalls  and  surround- 
ings thoroughly  disinfected.  Chloride  of  lime  8  ounces,  water 
1  gallon,  make  a  good  and  efficient  disinfectant.  With  this  solu- 
tion all  parts  of  the  stable  in  which  the  affected  animal  stood 
must  be  thoroughly  washed. 

SURRA. 

(Taken  from  the  Emergency  Report  on  Surra,  issued  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Animal 
Industry,  Agricultural  Department,  1902.) 

This  is  a  disease  of  the  Tropics,  and  is  caused  by  a  very  small 
parasite  which  lives  in  the  blood,  the  e\i.dence  now  accessible 
indicating  that  this  parasite  is  transmitted  by  means  of  fly  bites. 
It  is  chiefly  a  wet- weather  disease,  and  is  reported  as  very  fatal 
to  horses  and  mules. 

Symptoms. — The  sick  animal  at  flrst  shows  a  temperature  rang- 
ing from  103'  to  107'  F.;  pulse  full:  breathing  increased  and 
abdominal:  appetite  variable  from  poor  to  good,  but  never  en- 
tirely lost:  the  membranes  slightly  congested;  swellings  of  the 
belly,  sheath,  and  legs  soon  appear.  In  some  cases  they  may  not 
be  present,  emaciation  taking  place  instead.  At  this  point  in 
progress  of  the  disease  the  temparature  is  variable  and  of  inter- 
mittent character.  Some  of  the  cases  last  for  a  long  time,  being 
in  the  hospital  for  two  or  three  months  before  ending  in  recovery 
or  death.  As  the  disease  progresses  toward  a  fatal  termination 
the  animal  grows  very  weak,  particularly  in  the  hind  legs,  sways 
from  side  to  side  when  walking,  and  may  go  down  and  be  unable 
to  get  up. 

5829 5 


CG 

The  feces  are  of  a  normal  character,  no  marked  constipation 
or  diarrhea  being  present.  The  urine  seems  to  be  increased  in 
quantity. 

Urticarial  (pimply)  eruption  is  a  prominent  sjTiiptom. 

Trcafmenf.—No  satisfactory  treatment  has  been  found,  but  the 
administration  of  arsenic  has  been  followed  by  good  results. 

Prevention  is  difficult;  it  should  consist  in  protecting  horses 
and  mules  from  flies. 

TETANUS — LOCKJAW. 

Tetanus  is  an  infectious  disease,  the  specific  cause  of  which  is 
a  bacillus  (rod-shaped  germ)  which  is  very  common  and  appears 
in  the  shape  of  a  fine,  straight  little  stick  provided  \\ath  a  small 
head. 

The  germ  is  found  in  the  superficial  layer  of  the  earth  in  gar- 
dens, around  buildings,  stables,  etc. 

This  disease,  when  present,  is  always  caused  by  a  wound, 
more  esp3cially  one  produced  by  a  nail  puncture. 

The  germ  will  not  develop  in  the  presence  of  oxygen,  conse- 
quently all  punctured  wounds  of  the  foot  should  be  freely  opened 
to  admit  of  the  introduction  of  air,  as  well  as  to  allow  of 
thorough  cleansing  with  an  antiseptic.  A  horse  v^^th  a  wound 
so  treated  is  not  very  liable  to  develop  tetanus. 

In  warm  countries,  especially  in  tropical  climates,  cases  of 
tetanus  are  much  more  frequent  than  in  cold  regions. 

Sy nqjto ms.—Tet3imG  spasms  (a  spasmodic  and  continuous  con- 
traction of  the  muscles)  appear,  as  a  rule,  in  the  muscles  of  the 
neck  and  head:  from  these  it  extends  to  the  shoulders,  irurk, 
and  extremities;  or  the  stiffness  may  start  in  the  region  of  the 
injured  organ  or  member. 

Contraction  of  the  masseter  muscles:  the  inferior  maxillary  is 
no  longer  able  to  execute  the  slightest  movement,  then  the  pre- 
hension and  mastication  of  food  become  difficult  or  quite  impos- 
sible. This  inabihty  to  open  the  jaws  has  caused  this  disease  to 
be  given  the  name  of  lockjaw. 

Contraction  of  the  great  posterior  muscle  of  the  eye  causes  a 

retraction  of  this  organ  within  the  orbit  (orbital  fossa),  and  a 

protrusion  of  the  membrana  nictitans  (haw)  upon  the  eyeball. 

The  animal  is  very  stiff,  holds  his  head  in  an  extended  position 

as  if  suffering  from  a  sore  throat;  the  tail  is  elevated  and  the 


67 

ears  drawn  closer  together;  the  nostrils  are  much  dilated:  the 
legs  stand  apart;  the  eyes  indicate  excitement  and  anxiety,  the 
mucous  membranes  are  injected  (reddened):  some  muscular 
groups,  principally  the  masseters  and  the  muscles  of  the  back  of 
the  neck,  are  hard  and  distinctly  outlined,  as  if  carved:  the  mus- 
cles of  the  jaws,  neck  and  shoulders,  back,  lumbar  region,  croup 
and  tail  are  as  hard  as  wood. 

The  tail  and  ears  are  elastic;  when  they  are  moved  they  imme- 
diately return  to  their  former  position. 

There  is  profuse  sweating  when  the  animal  is  disturbed  or  when 
in  a  spasm;  respiration  is  accelerated  and  laborious.  When  ap- 
proaching the  patient  in  order  to  examine  it  the  excitement  in- 
creases instantly:  the  lower  jaw  is  pressed  hard  against  the  upper, 
and  can  not  be  separated  from  it,  even  by  the  most  violent  trac- 
tion upon  it;  on  parting  the  lips  a  fetid  liquid  runs  out  of  the 
mouth,  which  is  more  or  less  filled  with  particles  of  food;  if  the 
head  is  lifted  the  whole  membrana  nictitans  obscures  the  greater 
part  of  the  eyeball. 

Backing  is  extremely  difficult  or  even  impossible;  turning  is 
also  very  laborious;  the  trunk,  neck,  and  shoulders  can  not  be 
flexed,  the  extremities  are  as  stiff  as  stilts. 

Course. — The  course  of  tetanus  is  variable,  according  to  the  in- 
dividual. It  commonly  develops  rapidly,  and  death  takes  place 
in  two  or  three  days.  In  some  cases  death  occurs  more  slowly 
within  four  to  eight  days  on  an  average.  In  others,  again,  where 
the  spasm  is  moderate  and  of  little  extent,  the  disease  may  con- 
tinue for  several  weeks. 

Recovery  before  the  third  week  is  rare;  about  this  time  the 
spasm  begins  to  decline,  the  appetite  returns,  respiration  becomes 
calmer,  and  the  movements  more  free;  very  often  recovery  takes 
place  only  at  the  end  of  five  or  six  weeks;  there  may  be  a  con- 
tinuance of  the  stiffness  of  movement  and  tension  of  the  extensors 
of  the  spinal  column  for  a  long  period  of  time. 

Treatment. — A  systematic  course  of  food  and  the  freedom  of 
the  patient  from  all  kinds  of  excitement  are  the  two  main  indica- 
tions of  the  treatment.  It  is  advisable  to  place  the  patient  in  a 
dark  stall,  so  situated  as  to  be  isolated  and  free  from  all  noises, 
and  only  one  man  should  be  in  attendance,  as  strangers  entering 
the  stall  of  a  patient  affected  with  only  a  mild  attack  may  cause 


68 

excitement  and  the  animal  be  thrown  into  a  violent  spasm  and 
die  in  a  short  time. 

Give  the  patient  green  fodder,  slop,  mealy  drinks,  hqnid  food, 
and  cold  water  as  oftsn  as  he  may  show  a  desire  to  eat  or  drink. 

Medicinal  agents  are  of  secondary  importance  in  the  treatment 
of  lockjaw.  Large  doses  {2  to  8  ounces)  of  bromide  of  potassium 
shonld  be  given  in  the  drinking  water  several  times  daily.  The 
administration  of  medicines  by  the  mouth  is  not  practicable  by 
reason  of  the  lockjaw  as  well  as  through  causing  excitement. 

The  infected  wound  requires  special  care.  It  should  be  well 
opened  up,  disinfected,  foreign  bodies  extracted,  etc. 

Some  authors  recommend  the  use  of  the  suspending  sling. 

In  the  horse  the  mortality  from  this  disease  is  from  80  to  85  per 
cent  of  cases. 

DISEASES   OF  THE  TEETH. 

On  account  of  the  character  of  its  food  the  horse  has  been  sup- 
plied with  molar  teeth,  having  the  grinding  surfaces  roughened; 
it  must  be  remembered  that  the  lower  jaw  is  narrower  than  the 
upper  jaw,  and  the  table  (grinding)  surfaces  are  sloping.  The 
distance  from  the  gum  to  the  grinding  surface  is  the  greatest  on 
the  outside  surface  of  the  upper  molars  and  the  reverse  is  the 
case  in  the  lower  molars. 

On  account  of  this  conformation  a  sharp  ridge  (or  points)  is 
liable  to  develop  on  the  outside  of  the  upper  molars  and  may  be 
found  on  the  inside  of  the  lower  ones.  These  points  are  some- 
times very  sharp,  and  may  lacerate  the  cheeks  and  tongue  during 
mastication.  A  horse  so  affected  will  frequently  bolt  his  food 
before  thoroughly  masticating  it,  thereby  causing  chronic  indi- 
gestion. It  may  also  interfere  with  the  reining  of  the  animal 
and  cause  great  annoyance  to  his  rider. 

Such  irregularities  can  be  easily  detected  by  an  examination 
of  the  animal's  mouth  by  the  hand,  and  when  found,  these  sharp 
edges  must  be  removed  by  the  use  of  a  float. 

•  Decayed  teeth. 

All  teeth  are  apt  to  decay,  such  decay  being  generally  due  to 
an  injury. 

A  decayed  tooth  will  be  found  in  one  of  the  following  condi- 
tions: Split,  broken,  or  shorter  than  the  surrounding  ones,  and 


69 

ha^dng  a  fetid  odor.  The  opposing  tooth  in  the  opposite  jaw  is 
often  found  to  be  elongated. 

Treatment. — A  diseased  tooth  must  be  extracted  and  the  elon- 
gated one,  if  any  exist,  must  be  shortened  to  correspond  ^-ith  its 
fellows. 

Symptoms  of  irregularities  in  teeth. — Quidding  of  the  food, 
holding  the  head  to  one  side  while  masticating  food  or  drinking 
water,  slobbering,  chronic  catarrh,  fetid  breath,  swelling  of  the 
superior  maxilla  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  teeth,  general 
unthrifty  appearance,  etc, 

THUMPS — SPASM   OF  THE   DIAPHRAGM. 

Caused  by  severe  exertion. 

Symptoms. — In  the  left  costal  region  and  in  the  corresponding 
flank  we  observe  shocks  which  shake  the  whole  body  at  times; 
they  are  usually  accompanied  by  a  short,  jerking  expiration,  and 
by  a  dull,  thumping  sound  which  is  heard  at  a  distance  of  several 
paces. 

Treatment. — Quietude  must  be  insisted  upon. 

Give  the  following:  Aromatic  spirits  ammonia  2  ounces,  water 

1  pint.     Or,  sweet  spirits  of  niter  2  ounces,  fld.  ext.  belladonna 

2  drams,  water  to  make  1  pint.  Either  mixture  may  be  repeated 
in  one  hour  if  necessary. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   SKIX  AXD  EYE. 

ERYTHEMA. 

Erythema  is  a  congested  or  slightly  inflamed  condition  of  the 
skin,  unattended  by  any  eruption.  The  parts  are  slightly  swollen, 
hot,  t3nder.  or  itchy,  and  dry,  and  if  the  skin  is  white  there  is 
redness. 

Erythema  may  arise  from  a  variety  of  causes,  as  chilling  or 
partial  freezing,  heat  and  buraing,  chapping,  urine,  and  medicine. 

Treatment.— A-g^lj  the  following  several  times  daily:  Sulphate 
of  zinc  1  ounce,  acetate  of  lead  1  ounce,  water  1  quart.  Or,  use 
the  following  ointment  twice  daily:  Oxide  of  zinc  1  ounce,  cos- 
moline  6  ounces. 


70 


SCRATCHES. 


Scratches  is  allied  to  grease,  but  not  so  severe,  but  if  neglected 
may  terminate  in  that  disease.  It  is  usually  of  a  dry  nature,  with 
shallow  cracks  in  the  skin,  and  often  discharging  a  thin  liquid, 
which  does  not  irritate  the  skin.  The  disease  is  located  in  the 
back  part  of  the  pastern  joint. 

Trea^me?^^.— Cleanse  thoroughly  with  castile  soap  and  water, 
dry,  and  apply:  Sulphate  of  zinc  1  ounca,  acetate  of  lead  1  ounce, 
water  1  quart.  Or,  oxide  of  zinc  1  part,  lanolin  10  parts.  Or, 
tincture  of  iodine  may  be  resorted  to. 

GREASE. 

Grease  heel  is  a  chronic  inflammation  of  the  skin  of  the  back 
part  of  the  fetlock  and  pastern. 

The  skin  is  at  first  red,  swollen,  painful,  and  hot.  It  is  soon 
covered  by  vesicles  (blisters)  which  burst  and  discharge  a  thin, 
yellowish  liquid,  which  is  at  first  without  odor.  The  hairs  are 
matted  together,  erect,  or  have  fallen  out  in  large  quantities. 

Grease  produces,  in  the  course  of  time,  serious  alterations  in 
the  pastern.  The  excreted  liquid  becomes  decomposed  and 
softens  the  epidermis.  A  kind  of  sticky,  doughy  exudate  is 
formed,  which  is  of  bad  aspect,  of  fetid  odor,  and  very  irritating. 

The  back  part  of  the  pastern  and  fetlock  becomes  the  seat  of 
granulating  wounds,  the  granulations  ranging  in  size  from  that 
of  a  pea  to  a  large  grape  (the  so-called  grapy  stage). 

Treatment.— In  the  first  stage  claanliness  and  the  application 
of  the  ordinary  drying  powder  or  antiseptic  ointments  are  suffi- 
cient. In  cases  where  proud  flesh  exists,  the  granulations  must 
be  removed  with  the  knife  and  burned  with  red-hot  iron  or  lunar 
caustic  and  then  treated  as  a  fresh  wound. 

MANGE  (scabies). 

This  is  a  contagious  skin  disease  produced  by  parasites  and 
can  be  transmitted  to  mar. 

There  are  three  parasites  that  cause  mange;  two  varieties 
burrow  into  the  deeper  layers  of  the  skin,  one  being  found  about 
the  head  and  neck,  though  it  may  spread  over  the  surface  of  the 
body;  the  other  variety  is  found  at  the  roots  of  the  mane  and 


71 

tail,  while  the  third  species  does  not  burrow  into  the  skin  and  is 
found  on  the  extremities. 

Si/mijfo)ns. — This  disease  is  characterized  by  great  itchiness, 
associated  with  the  formation  of  pustules.  As  the  disease  devel- 
ops, large  surfaces  become  destitute  of  hair  and  are  covered  by 
powdery  crusts  of  variable  thickness.  At  a  later  period  the  skin 
becomes  thickened,  wrinkled,  and  fissured,  assuming  the  appear- 
ance of  the  skin  of  the  rhinoceros. 

Treatment. — The  first  essential  is  the  separation  and  isolation 
of  the  unhealthy  from  the  well  animals.  Wash  the  affected 
parts  thoroughly  with  warm  water,  soap,  and  a  scrubbing  brush, 
and  apply  the  foUo^s^ng:  Acetanilid  10  parts,  creolin  o  parts, 
cosmoline  20  parts.  Melt  the  cosmoline  and  mix  with  the  other 
ingredients  while  cooling.  This  ointment  should  be  applied 
twice  a  day  and  the  parts  thoroughly  washed  every  other  day. 
Continue  the  treatment  until  the  skin  becomes  healthy. 

SIMPLE   INJURIES   TO   THE   EYE. 

Inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  eyelids  may 
be  caused  by  bruises  or  the  presence  of  a  foreign  body,  such  as 
sand,  chaff,  etc. 

Treatment. — If  due  to  the  presence  of  a  foreign  body  it  should 
be  removed  at  once  and  the  eye  bathed  with  cold  water  and  the 
following  eye  lotion  applied:  Sulphate  of  zinc  20  grains,  boric 
acid  1  dram,  water  4  ounces. 

A  clean,  dark  cloth  should  be  placed  over  the  injured  eye  so  as 
to  exclude  the  light.  The  cold-water  irrigations  and  the  medici- 
nal treatment  should  be  continued  twice  daily  until  the  parts 
assume  their  normal  condition.  If  the  eyelids  should  become 
torn  great  care  must  be  exercised  in  suturing,  as  the  needle  may 
puncture  the  eyeball  and  blindness  mg^  follow. 

OPHTHALMIA— CONJUNCTIVITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  outer  parts  of  the  eyeball,  the  exposed 
vascular  and  sensitive  mucous  membrane  (conjunctiva)  which 
covers  the  ball,  the  eyelids,  and  the  haw. 

The  causes  of  external  ophthalmia  are  mainly  those  which  act 
locally — blows  with  whips,  clubs,  and  twigs;  the  presence  of 
foreign  bodies,  such  as  chaff,  dust,  sand,  ammonia  arising  from 
the  excrement,  etc. 


n. 

Symptoms. — Watering  of  the  eye,  swollen  lids,  redness  of  the 
mucous  membrane  exposed  by  the  separation  of  the  lids,  and  a 
blnish  oi)acity  of  the  cornea,  which  is  normally  clear  and  trans- 
lucent. The  eyelids  may  be  kept  closed,  the  eyeball  retracted, 
and  the  haw  protruded  over  one-third  or  one-half  of  the  ball. 
If  the  affection  has  resulted  from  a  wound  of  the  cornea,  a  white 
speck  or  fleecy  cloud  is  formed,  and  often  blood  vessels  begin  to 
extend  from  the  adjacent  vascular  covering  of  the  eye  to  the 
white  spot,  and  that  portion  of  the  cornea  is  rendered  perma- 
nently opaque. 

Treatment. — The  first  thinq;  is  to  remove  the  cause.  Place  the 
horse  in  a  dark  stall,  bathe  with  tepid  water  and  the  following 
lotion:  Zinc  sulphate  20  grains,  boric  acid  1  dram,  water  4 
ounces.  This  treatment  should  be  applied  and  continued  twice 
daily  until  the  parts  assume  their  normal  condition. 

RECURRENT  OPHTHALMIA — MOONBLINDNESS . 

This  affection,  sometimes  called  periodic  ophthalmia,  is  an 
inflammation  of  the  interior  of  the  eye,  and  is  intimately  related 
to  certain  soils,  climates,  and  systems,  showing  a  strong  tendency 
to  recur  again  and  again,  usually  ending  in  blindness  from  cata- 
ract or  other  serious  injury. 

Symptoms  vary  according  to  the  severity  of  the  attack.  In 
some  cases  there  is  marked  fever.  The  local  symptoms  are  in  the 
main  those  of  ophthalmia;  opacity  advances  from  the  margin  over 
a  part  or  the  whole  of  the  cornea.  An  attack  lasts  from  ten  to 
fifteen  days.  The  attacks  may  follow  each  other  at  intervals  of 
a  month,  more  or  less,  but  they  show  no  particular  relation  to 
any  particular  phase  of  the  moon.  From  five  to  seven  attacks 
usually  result  in  blindness,  and  then  the  second  eye  is  liable  to  be 
attacked  until  it  also  is  ruined. 

Treatment. — Is  largely  the  same  as  that  for  common  ophthal- 
mia. During  recovery  a  course  of  tonics  is  often  very  beneficial 
and  acts  in  assisting  to  ward  off  another  attack.  Such  a  tonic 
is  the  following:  Sulphate  iron  1  ounce,  gentian  1^^  ounces,  nux 
vomica  \%  ounces.  Make  into  twelve  powders  and  give  one 
powder,  in  feed,  twice  a  day. 


73 


CATARACT. 


Cataract  is  opacity  of  the  crystalline  lens.     No  treatment  will 
restore  it  to  its  normal  condition. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   FEET. 

CORXS. 

A  corn  is  the  result  of  a  bruise,  involving  the  structures  of  the 
sensitive  sole,  appearing  as  a  reddish  spot  due  to  congestion  of 
blood  in  small  ruptured  vessels  in  the  triangular  space  included 
between  the  bars  and  the  wall  at  the  heel;  occuring  in  the  fore 
feet. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  shoe,  give  exit  to  pus  if  the  corn  has 
festered,  then  poultice.  The  radical  cure,  however,  is  to  be 
effected  by  i^roper  shoeing.  Do  not  allow  the  shoe  to  bear  on 
the  corn. 

THRUSH. 

Thrush  is  a  disease  of  the  frog,  characterized  by  an  offensive 
discharge. 

Symptoms. — At  first  there  is  simply  an  increased  moisture  in 
the  cleft  of  the  frog,  accompanied  by  an  offensive  smell.  After 
a  time  a  considerable  discharge  takes  place — thin,  watery,  and 
highly  offensive — changing  gradually  to  a  thicker,  putrid  matter, 
which  rapidly  destroys  the  horn  of  the  frog. 

Treatment. — As  a  rule  the  diseased  and  ragged  portions  of  the 
horn  are  to  be  pared  away,  the  foot  poulticed  for  a  day  or  two, 
the  cleft  of  the  frog  and  the  grooves  on  their  edges  to  be  cleaned 
and  well  filled  with  dry  calomel,  blue  vitriol,  or  alum;  if  the  dis- 
charge is  profuse  the  dressing  should  be  changed  daily,  other- 
wise it  may  be  left  on  for  two  or  three  days  at  a  time.  As  the 
disease  is  due  to  filth  the  horn  must  be  kept  clean  and  dry,  and 
if  necessary  a  leather  boot  can  be  put  on. 

CANKER. 

The  symptoms  of  this  disease  are  strongly  marked,  and  consist 
of  an  abundant,  fetid,  colorless  discharge  from  the  frog  or  sole, 


74 

which  is  large,  spongy,  and  covered  by  pallid,  stringy  promi- 
nences of  a  fungoid  nature,  intermixed  with  offensive  smelling, 
semidried,  cheesy  masses  of  matter. 

It  usually  commences  in  the  frog  and  rapidly  extends  to  the 
sole,  and  even  the  sensitive  laminae. 

Ti^eatment.— Remove  all  pieces  of  sole  or  frog  covering  the  dis- 
eased parts,  and  wnth  a  red-hot  iron  destroy  all  unnatural  growth; 
cleanse  thoroughly  with  hot  or  warm  water  and  then  apply  the 
following:  Equal  parts  of  sulphate  of  iron,  sulphate  of  zinc,  and 
sulphate  of  copper.  Pack  the  foot  with  oakum  and  place  it  in  a 
boot,  as  pressure  is  necessary:  change  the  dressings  twice  a  day 
and  destroy  all  unnatural  growths,  if  any,  by  the  red-hot  iron  or 
lunar  caustic. 

PUNCTURE   OF   THE  FROG  AND  SOLE. 

Puncture  of  the  frog  and  sole  is  usually  the  result  of  a  horse 
stepping  on  a  nail,  and,  if  the  nail  penetrates  into  the  sensitive 
structures  of  the  foot,  inflammation  and  lameness  will  follow; 
and  unless  the  wound  is  well  opened,  so  as  to  allow  a  thorough 
cleansing  and  the  application  of  a  4  per  cent  solution  of  creolin 
or  a  5  per  cent  solution  of  carbolic  acid,  pus  will  form.  Unless 
the  pus  has  a  good  outlet  it  will  burrow  into  the  surrounding  tis- 
sues and  terminate  in  canker.  Another  reason  for  opening  a 
wound  is  that  the  germs  of  tetanus  (lockjaw)  are  present  around 
stables:  the  nail  carries  with  it  a  certain  amount  of  dirt,  and  if 
this  dirt  is  impregnated  with  those  germs,  and  is  deposited  in  the 
desp  tissues  and  left  there  undisturbed,  lockjaw  is  very  apt  to 
develop. 

Pricks  in  shoeing  are  of  two  kinds,  namely,  those  actually  pene- 
trating the  sensitive  jmrts,  and  those  where  the  nail,  not  actually 
penetrating  the  sensitive  structures,  is  driven  so  near  as  to  cause 
bulging  of  the  inner  layer  of  horn  and  pressure  upon  the  sensi- 
tive interior,  leading  to  inflammation  and  great  lameness,  with 
or  without  suppuration. 

To  detect  punctured  wounds  of  the  feet  it  is  necessary  to  remove 
the  shoe  from  the  foot  affected,  then  to  examine  all  around  the 
margin  of  the  sole  by  pressing  it  and  the  crust  with  the  pincers; 
when  the  seat  of  the  injury  is  pressed  the  horse  will  generally 
evince  pain. 


75 

Pricks  in  shoeiDg  usually  manifest  themselves  shortly  after  the 
horse  has  been  shod,  but  occasionally  there  may  be  no  sign  for 
three  or  four  weeks. 

Treatment. — When  inflammation  is  present  the  application  of 
warm  water  is  very  beneficial:  this  is  best  accomplished  by  plac- 
ing the  injured  foot  in  a  pail  of  warm  water  for  about  one  hour; 
continue  this  tvrice  daily.  Warm  flaxseed  poultices  are  very 
good:  a  solution  of  creolin  4  per  cent,  or  carbolic  acid  5  per  cent, 
should  be  mixed  with  the  poultice.  When  the  inflammation  is 
reduced  and  the  formation  of  pus,  if  any,  has  ceased,  the  hole 
should  be  closed  with  a  piece  of  oakum,  saturated  -^ith  pine  tar. 

QUITTOR. 

Quittor  is  a  fistulous  wound  situated  on  the  heels  or  hind  quar- 
ters of  the  hoof,  generally  caused  hj  pricks,  bruises,  or  suppur- 
ating corns.  The  symptoms  of  quittor  are  lameness,  swelling 
upon  the  coronet,  about  the  center  of  which  one  or  more  small 
orifices  are  seen,  discharging  either  a  thin  liqnid  secretion  or  a 
soft,  thick,  perhaps  cheesy,  pus.  From  the  external  orifices 
sinuses  (tubes)  are  found,  generally  leading  in  a  downward  direc- 
tion, beneath  the  coronary  substance,  lateral  cartilage,  and  into 
the  soft  tissues.  In  many  cases  the  animal  is  extremely  lame 
and  scarcely  able  to  put  the  foot  to  the  ground.  A  quittor 
differs  from  a  wound,  or  a  recent  abscess  on  the  coronet,  by  the 
condition  of  the  parts,  which  have  taken  on  a  peculiarly  un- 
healthy action,  by  the  character  of  the  surrounding  swelling, 
which  is  hard  to  the  touch,  and  by  the  presence  of  sinuses. 

Treatment. — This  will  depend  upon  the  cause.  If  it  be  any- 
thing within  the  foot,  as  a  festered  corn  or  prick,  a  dependent 
opaning  must  be  made  in  the  sole  to  allow  the  escape  of  pus,  and 
then  treat  it  as  a  punctured  wound  of  the  sole.  In  a  case  of 
quittor  where  no  communication  exists  bs'tween  the  wound  and 
the  plantar  surface  of  the  foot  it  will  have  to  be  treated  by  injec- 
tions of  creohn,  carbolic  acid,  or  bichloride  of  mercury.  If  after 
a  few  days  of  this  treatment  the  wound  does  not  show  a  tendency 
to  heal  the  foUo^-ing  solution  can  be  used:  Bichloride  mercury 
1  dram,  water  1  ounce.  One  or  two  injections  of  this  will  cause 
the  exposed  surface  of  the  wound  to  cast  off  a  thin  slough  and 
leave  a  healthy  granulating  surface.  Poultices  assist  the  separa- 
tion of  the  slough  and  tend  to  soothe  the  irritation.     They  should 


76 

therefore  be  continued  for  several  days.  If  this  treatment  is  not 
successful  aft3r  a  raasonabls  length  of  time,  a  surgical  operation 
will  have  to  be  resorted  to. 

LAMTNITTS — FOUNDER. 

Laminitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  sensitive  laminae  and  may 
involve  the  adjacent  structures. 

There  are  three  forms  of  the  disease — acute,  subacute,  and 
chronic. 

The  exudation  is  greatest  at  the  toe,  the  foot  being  most  vas- 
cular at  this  point.  The  piin  of  laminitis  is  most  p:^rsist3nt  and 
agonizing,  because  the  sensitive  foot  is  invested  within  an  un- 
yielding horny  box,  pressing  upon  the  engorged  blood  vessels, 
preventing  free  exudation  and  swelling,  and  thus  pro\ing  a  bar- 
rier to  the  method  by  which  congested  blood  vessels  are  relieved. 

Causes. — The  most  common  are  concussion,  overexertion,  ex- 
haustion, rapid  changes  of  temperature,  and  eating  of  various 
improper  foods  (musty  grain,  etc.). 

Sym2Jto)ns.— In  laminitis  of  both  front  feet  the  animal  is  excess- 
ively lame,  almost  immovable,  especially  at  starting:  he  seems 
as  if  all  his  body  were  cramped;  stands  wuth  his  hind  legs  drawn 
under  the  belly  and  the  fore  feet  advanced,  in  order  to  relieve 
them  of  as  much  weight  as  possible;  occasionally  he  may  be  seen 
to  sway  himself  backward,  elevating  the  toes  and  throwing  the 
weight  for  a  moment  upon  the  heels  of  the  fore  feet,  and  then  re- 
suming his  original  position.  If  compelled  to  move  he  elevates 
his  feet  with  great  difficulty,  not  because  the  muscles  of  locomo- 
tion are  inflamed,  as  is  sometimes  supposed,  but  because  he  re- 
quires all  of  his  feet  to  be  on  the  ground  at  the  same  time  to  bear 
the  weight  of  his  body.  He  wull  often  groan  with  pain,  while 
sweat  bedews  the  skin. 

To  diagnose  a  case  quickly  the  best  method  is  to  push  the  horse 
backward,  when  it  will  be  seen  at  once  that  he  will  elevate  his 
toes  and  throw  his  weight  upon  the  heels. 

The  pulse  of  laminitis  is  full,  strong,  and  rapid,  and  will  main- 
tain the  character  of  strength  and  fullness  even  after  general  de- 
bility has  manifested  itself.  In  some  instances  the  animal  will 
lie  down  upon  its  side  with  the  legs  stretched  out  for  hours  to- 
gether, evidently  feeling  great  relief  from  the  assumption  of  this 


77 

position:  while  in  others,  particularly  during  the  early  period  of 
th3  dis3ase,  it  vv-ill  stand  persistently. 

When  the  hind  feet  only  are  affected  the  patient  stands  with 
all  his  four  feet  together:  the  fore  feet  are  pushed  under  the 
body  and  not  extended  as  when  they  are  inflamed:  the  hind  ones 
are  brought  forward  in  order  to  throw  the  weight  upon  the 
heels. 

When  all  four  feet  are  affected  the  symptoms  will  consist  of  a 
combination  of  the  foregoing,  \^ith  local  heat  in  all  the  feet, 
some  degree  of  throbbing  of  the  plantar  arteries,  and  tenderness 
upon  manipulation  or  to  the  touch  of  the  hammer. 

Treat  men  f. — Remove  the  shoes  from  the  affected  feet,  and 
place  them  in  hot  poultices,  changing  them  every  hour  as  they 
bacome  cold.  After  two  or  three  days  these  can  be  replaced  by 
cold  watar.  which  can  bs  applied  either  in  the  form  of  a  foot 
bath  or  by  standing  the  animal  in  a  running  stream  for  five  or 
six  hours  at  a  time. 

As  soon  as  the  pain  diminishes  molerate  exercise  is  beneficial, 
and  it  may  be  gradually  increased  until  the  animal  shows  no 
further  sign  of  the  disease. 

If  at  the  end  of  the  fifth  or  sixth  day  prominent  symptoms  of 
recovery  are  not  apparent,  apply  a  stiff  blister  of  cantharides 
around  the  coronet,  repeating  the  blister  if  necessary.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  local  treatment  saltpeter  in  doses  of  2  to  4  ounces  can 
be  g-iven  three  times  daily,  and  if  constipated  give  1  quart  of  raw 
linseed  oil. 


CHAPTER  X. 

DISEASES  OF  BOXE  AND  DETECTIOX  OF  I.AMEXESS. 

SIDEBOXES. 

Sidebone  is  an  ossification  of  the  lateral  cartilage. 

Symptoins. — A  hard  unyielding  condition  of  the  lateral  carti- 
lage, which  may  become  very  prominent,  with  or  without  lame- 
ness. 

Treatmnit. — If  the  enlargement  causes  lameness,  a  blister 
shoald  be  applied  and  repeated  in  ten  days  if  necessary.  If  the 
animal  is  still  lame,  firing,  followed  by  rest,  may  piove  beneficial 


78 


BONE  SPAVIN. 


Bone  spavin  is  a  disease  involving  the  bones  in  the  hock  joint, 
and  appears  as  a  bony  enlargement,  situated  at  the  inner  and 
lower  part  of  the  tarsus. 

Causes. — Weakness,  faulty  conformation,  severe  strains,  hard 
and  rapid  work,  etc. 

Symptoms. — A  hard,  bony  enlargement  situated  at  the  inner 
and  lower  part  of  the  hock  joint,  usually  accompanied  by  lame- 
ness. In  the  first  stages  of  the  disease  lameness  is  noticed  only 
when  the  animal  is  first  moved  after  a  rest,  and  then  the  toe  is 
generally  placed  upon  the  ground  first. 

The  "spavin  test"  is  sometimes  useful  in  diagnosing  spavin 
lameness.  It  consists  in  keeping  the  hock  joint  flexed  for  one  or 
two  minutes,  and  then  trotting  the  horse.  The  lameness  is  very 
marked. 

7'reatment. — The  treatment  of  bone  spavin  is  the  same  as  that 
prescribed  for  ringbone. 

RINGBONE. 

Ringbone  is  a  bony  enlargement,  more  or  less  prominent,  situ- 
ated upon  either  the  os  suffraginis  or  os  coronce,  and  it  may  also 
involve  the  articular  cartilages. 

Causes.— Injuries,  such  as  blows,  sprains,  jumping,  and  fast 
work  on  hard  roads. 

SymjDtoms.— Chrome  bony  enlargements,  accompanied  usually 
by  lameness,  are  the  most  prominent  symptoms. 

Diagnosis  is  assisted  by  palpitation  (feeling)  and  comparison 
of  the  two  legs.  The  enlargement  is  hard,  painless  on  pressure, 
and  the  skin  covering  it  is  movable. 

Treatment.— The  foot  must  be  pared  perfectly  level,  and  a 
blister  applied  to  the  enlargement  and  repeated  in  two  weeks  if 
necessary.  Perfect  rest  and  quietude  for  four  to  six  wrecks  are 
essential,  or  no  beneficial  results  can  be  expected. 

If  the  rest  and  blisters  fail  to  remove  the  lameness  firing  may 
sometimes  be  resorted  to.  Puncture  firing  in  two  or  three  rows 
is  often  very  effective.  After  firing  the  animal  must  be  kept 
quiet  in  a  single  stall  for  at  least  one  month. 


79 


SPLINTS. 


Splints  are  bony  enlargements,  nsnally  sitnated  between  the 
inner  splint  bone  and  the  cannon  (large  and  inner  small  meta- 
carpals) at  their  upper  third. 

Causes. — Fanlty  action  or  unequal  distribution  of  pressure  in 
the  knee  may  throw  an  excessive  load  on  the  inner  small  meta- 
carpal and  cause  rupture  in  the  periosteum  afi&xing  the  small  to 
the  large  metacarpal.     The  irritation  produces  growth  of  bone. 

Sytnjjtoms. — A  bony  enlargement  is  found,  usually  situated  on 
the  inner  and  upper  part  of  the  cannon  bone,  and  may  or  may 
not  be  accompanied  by  lameness. 

Treatment. — If  there  is  lameness  give  the  animal  absolute  rest, 
and  apply  a  blister  composed  as  follows:  Biniodide  of  mercury  1 
dram,  cosmoline  5  drams.     Repeat  in  ten  days  if  necessary. 

DETECTION   OF   LAMENESS. 

Severe  lameness  is  readily  recognized,  even  when  the  animal  is 
at  rest.  Distinct  symptoms,  such  as  pointing  or  frequent  raising 
of  the  affected  limb,  are  noticed.  The  animal's  instinct  leads 
him  to  place  the  affected  part  in  a  position  to  relieve  the  pain. 
In  locating  the  lame  leg,  trot  the  horse  with  the  halter  on,  leav- 
ing 1}4  feet  of  rope,  thus  allowing  free  play  to  all  muscles  con- 
cerned in  locomotion,  and  have  him  trotted  slowly  toward  and 
from  the  observer. 

If  lame  in  one  fore  leg,  the  right  one  for  instance,  the  head  will 
nod  more  or  less  when  he  steps  on  the  left  fore  leg,  while  the 
head  gerks  up  at  the  moment  the  right  leg  (the  lame  one)  is  placed 
upon  the  ground. 

Hence,  the  head  of  the  lame  animal  always  nods  when  the 
sound  leg  is  planted.  Should  there  be  lameness  in  both  fore  legs 
the  action  is  stilty  (stiff);  the  natural,  elastic  stride  is  wanting: 
the  steps  are  shortened,  and  the  feet  kept  close  to  the  ground. 
Almost  invariably  the  hind  legs  are  picked  up  higher  than  nor- 
mally: the  shoulders  appear  stiff  and  the  head  is  carried  rather 
high,  while  the  lumbar  region  is  arched. 

Lameness  behind  is  seen  hy  trotting  the  horse  from  the  observer, 
the  croup  being  the  essential  part  to  be  watched,  since  it  falls  or 
drops  with  the  sound  leg  and  rises  with  the  lame  one. 

If  lame  in  both  hind  legs,  the  stride  is  shortened  and  awkward: 
the  fore  legs  are  kept  back  of  the  vertical  line,  and  are  apt  to  be 


80 

raised  higher  than  usual,  while  the  head  is  lowered.  Backing  is 
difficult,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  keep  the  animal  at  a  trot 
when  he  is  lame  in  more  than  one  leg. 

Horses  lame  in  both  fore  or  hind  legs  show  a  waddling  gait 
b3hin:l,  often  mistaken  for  lameness  originating  in  the  lumbar 
region.  This  peculiar  motion  is  simply  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
hind  legs  are  unduly  advanced  under  the  body  for  their  own 
relief  or  that  of  the  front  legs.  Close  attention  is  to  be  paid  to 
the  animal's  action  as  he  turns  wdiile  being  trotted  to  and  from 
the  observer,  as  at  this  moment — that  is,  while  he  turns— any 
hitch  becomes  visible;  as,  for  instance,  spavin  or  stringhalt 
lameness. 

Always  place  the  lame  leg  in  its  natural  position  and  inspect 
the  various  parts  of  the  leg  both  with  the  hand  and  eye,  compar- 
ing them  always  with  the  sound  leg  to  find  anatomical  changes. 

In  all  cases  examine  tlie  foot  thoroughly  and  carefully.  Heat, 
pain,  and  swelling  are  always  guides  in  the  diagnosis  of  lameness. 

All  lameness  is  divided  into  two  classes:  First,  s^^nging-leg 
lameness,  which  is  shown  by  a  shortened  stride  and  a  more  or 
less  dragging  of  the  leg;  second,  supporting-leg  lameness,  which 
shows  itself  when  the  leg  supports  the  weight  of  the  body.  The 
former  is  shown  in  diseased  condition  of  the  muscles.  The  latter 
is  shown  in  disease  of  bone,  tendons,  ligaments,  and  the  hoof. 

The  stifle  is  the  only  joint  liable  to  dislocation  in  the  horse. 
In  this  trouble  the  patella  is  forced  outward,  and  thus  makes 
the  joint  immovable,  the  leg  being  extended  backward  and  the 
foot  resting  on  the  toe.  If  the  animal  is  forced  to  move  he  drags 
the  leg,  being  unable  to  bring  it  forward  in  the  natural  manner 
on  account  of  the  dislocation  of  the  patella. 

The  treatment  consists  in  reducing  the  dislocation.  This  is 
performed  in  the  following  manner:  A  rope  being  placed  about 
the  pastern,  the  leg  is  steadily  drawn  forward  by  one  or  more 
assistants,  while  the  operator  presses  the  patella  forward  and 
inward.  When  the  bone  regains  its  proper  position  the  animal 
has  proper  control  of  his  leg.  If  the  parts  are  inflamed  frequent 
application  of  acetate  of  lead  and  sulphate  of  zinc,  \%  ounces  of 
each  to  a  quart  of  water,  will  relieve  the  inflammation.  When 
this  has  been  accomplished  a  smart  blister  must  be  applied— 
cantharides  1  part,  cosmoline  5  parts.  At  the  same  time  the 
animal  must  be  kept  perfectly  quiet. 


81 


CHAPTER  XI. 
MEDTCrXES;   THEIR  ACTIOX  AXD  USES. 

Antiseptics. — Remedies  which  arrest  putrefaction.  They  kill 
or  prevent  the  development  of  those  bacteria  which  produce  sep- 
tic decomposition. 

Examples:  Corros.  sub.,  carbolic  acid,  creolin. 

Disinfectants. — Destroy  the  spacific  poisons  of  commtinicable 
diseases  by  killing  or  arresting  the  development  of  those  germs 
which  produce  disease. 

Examples:  Lime,  sulphur  gas,  etc. 

Deodorants. — Disguise  or  destroy  odors. 

Examples:  Iron  sulphate,  carbolic  acid,  etc. 

Antidotes. — Counteract  poisons. 

Rubefacients. — Cause  redness  of  the  skin. 

Examples:  Alcohol,  turpantine,  etc. 

Vesicants. — Cause  a  discharge  of  serum  from  the  skin. 

Example:  Cantharides. 

Sto m a cJi  ics.  — Promote  digesti on. 

Examples:  Gentian,  ginger,  etc. 

Verm  icicles. — Kill  worms. 

Examples:  Turpantine,  iron  sulphate,  etc. 

AntheJniinthics  or  Vermifuges. — Remove  intestinal  worms  by 
purgation. 

Pa rasiticides. — Destroy  parasites. 

Examples:  Carbolic  acid,  creolin,  etc. 

Purgatives. — Evacuate  the  bowels. 

Examples:  Aloes. 

Choiagogues. — Promote  secretion  of  bile. 

Examples:  Aloes,  calomel. 

Diciphoretics. — Increase  perspiration. 

Examples:  Warm  clothing,  ethers. 

Diuretics. — Increase  secretion  of  urine. 

Examples:  Potass,  nit.,  turpentine. 

Toil  ics.— Gradually  but  permanently  improve  appetite  and 
increase  vigor. 

Ex.imples:  Quinine,  iron,  gentian,  etc, 

5829 (3 


82 

Stinuilants. — Promptly  but  tsmporarily  increase  nervous  vigor, 
thus  increasing  action  of  the  heart  and  other  functions. 

Examjiles:  Alcohol,  amnionic,  ether. 

Alteratives. — Correct  morbid  conditions  without  causing 
marked  physiological  effects. 

Examplas:  Mercury,  iodina,  iodide  of  potassium. 

Astringents. — Contract  living  tissaes. 

Examples:  Alum,  zinc  sulphate,  tannic  acid. 

Sedatives. — DeiDress  (slow)  both  the  nervous  and  circulatory 
systems. 

Examples:  Aconite,  acetanilid,  potas.  bromide. 

Anodynes. — Relieve  piin  by  diminishing  the  excitability  of 
nerves  and  nerve  centers. 

Examples:  Opium,  belladonna. 

Antispasmodics. — Prevent  or  remove  spasmodic  contractions 
of  voluntary  or  involuntary  musdes. 

Examples:  Belladonna,  sulphuric  ether. 

Carminatives. — Aid  in  the  expulsion  of  gas  from  the  intestines 
by  increasing  peristalsis,  stimulating  circulation,  etc. 

Examples:  Capsicum,  ginger,  aromatic  spts.  ammonia,  etc. 

Febrifuges  or  antipyretics. — Agents  which  reduce  high  tem- 
perature of  the  blood. 

Examples:  Cold  water,  acetanilid. 

VETERINARY  MEDICINES. 

Acetanilid. — Is  a  febrifuge  and  antiseptic.  Used  internally  to 
lower  fever  and  to  relieve  the  pain  of  rheumatism,  in  doses  of 
from  1  to  4  drams.  Used  externally  as  an  antiseptic  in  the 
form  of  a  dry  dressing. 

Acid,  arsenious  (arsenic). — Is  an  irritant,  corrosive  poison, 
given  internally  in  doses  of  from  1  to  6  grains  as  a  digestive  tonic, 
and  for  skin  diseases,  usually  in  combination  with  iron  sulphate 
and  gentian.  Externally  it  is  used  to  remove  warts,  in  the  form 
of  an  ointment,  1  part  of  arsenic  to  8  or  10  of  lard. 

Acid,  boracic. — Action,  antiseptic;  a  10  par  cent  solution  is 
very  useful  in  conjunctivitis.  With  oxide  of  zinc  it  makes  a 
very  nice  dressing  for  abrasions,  scratches,  etc. 


83 

Acid,  carbolic. — A  valuable  antiseptic  and  disinfectant.     A  5 
per  cent  solution  makes  a  very  good  wash  for  all  wounds.     A 
very  good  prescription  for  local  use  is  the  following: 
Carbolic  acid,  6  drams. 
Glycerin,  1^^  ounces. 
Water  to  make  1  pint. 
Acid,  scdicylic. — A  useful  antiseptic.     A  valuable  remedy  in 
the  treatment  of  rheumatism.     The  dose  given  is  from  3  to  6 
drams.     Best  given  mixed  with  boracic  acid. 
Salicylic  acid,  3  to  6  drams. 
Boracic  acid,  1  to  3  drams. 
Make  into  one  powder,  and  repeat  three  times  a  day. 
Salicylic  acid  dusted  upon  a  wound  vnll  remove  the  granula- 
tions of  proud  flesh. 

Acid,  tannic. — An  astringent  and  antiseptic.    It  is  given  inter- 
nally in  diarrhea  and  dysentery.     Dose,  30  grains  to  1  dram. 
The  following  prescription  may  be  given: 
Acid,  tannic,  %  "to  1  dram. 
Opium,  powdered,  3>2  to  1  dram. 
Make  into  one  ball  and  repeat  every  two  hours  until  the  diar- 
rhea is  checked. 

Tannic  acid  is  an  excellent  remedy,  used  in  the  form  of  a  satu- 
rated solution  (with  water),  for  hardening  tender  shoulders. 

Aconite. — Is  a  dangerous  poison  and  should  not  be  used 
internally,  but  locally.  Mixed  with  other  drugs  it  makes  a  good 
anodyne  liniment: 

Aconite,  2  ounces. 
Alcohol,  5  ounces. 
Opium,  tincture,  4  ounces. 
Witch-hazel,  distilled,  5  ounces. 
Mix,  and  apply  several  times  daily. 

Alcohol. — Stimulant.    Given  for  weak  heart  in  debilitating  dis- 
eases, such  as  lung  troubles,  etc.    Dose,  2  to  4  ounces  in  1  pint  of 
water,  and  repeated  every  four  to  six  hours,  as  required. 
It  is  useful  in  the  formation  of  liniments. 

Aloes,  Barbados. — A  purgative;  it  is  the  general  purgative  for 
the  horse.     Dose,  6  to  8  drams. 

Aloes,  Barbados,  6  to  8  drams. 
Ginger,  1  dram. 
Make  into  a  ball  and  give  upon  an  empty  stomach. 


84 

A  purgative  should  never  be  given  in  diseases  of  the  respiratory 
system. 
It  generally  takes  about  24  hours  to  operate. 
Alum. — Astringent.  It  is  useful  as  awash  for  sore  mouths; 
used  in  the  strength  of  1 2  ounce  to  1  quart  of  water.  Externally 
it  is  a  valuable  remedy  in  the  treatment  of  thrush.  Burnt  alum 
is  useful  for  the  removal  of  proud  flesh. 

Ammonia,   aromatic  spirits  of. — Stimulant  and   carminative. 
A  very  useful  remedy  in  the  treatment  of  colics. 
Aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  1%  ounces. 
Fluid  extract  cannabis  indica,  34  ounce. 
Powdered  ginger,  %  ounce. 
Salicylic  acid,  3  drams. 
Water,  1  pint. 
Give  in  one  dose,  and  repeat  in  forty-five  minutes  to  one  hour 
if  necessary. 

Ammonia,  solution  of. — Used  externally  only,  in  combination 
with  other  drugs,  as  a  stimulating  liniment. 
Ammonia,  solution  of,  1  part. 
Turpentine,  oil  of,  1  part. 
Olive  oil,  2  parts. 
To  be  well  shaken  before  using.     It  is  an  excellent  external 
application  for  sore  throat. 

Ammonia,  chloride  of. — Used  in  all  cases  where  an  expectorant 
is  indicated,  such  as  diseases  of  the  respiratory  system.     Dose,  1 
to  4  drams.     For  catarrhal  diseases  it  is  usually  combined  with 
quinine  and  nitrate  of  potash,  prepared  in  the  following  manner: 
Ammonia,  chloride  of,  3  ounces. 
Quinine  sulphate,  6  drams. 
Nitrate  of  potash,  3  ounces. 
Make  into  twelve  powders  and  give  one  every  three  or  four 
hours. 

Expectorants  act  upv^n  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  respira- 
tory organs  and  cause  an  expulsion  of  their  secretions. 

Belladonna,  fluid  extract. — Antispasmodic  and  anodyne.  Used 
in  cases  of  colic  in  conjunction  with  other  medicines.  Dose,  1  to 
2  drams. 

When  applied  to  the  eyes  it  dilates  the  pupil  and  soothes  the 
irritated  membrane.  Generally  used  in  combination  with  sul- 
phate of  zinc  or  boracic-acid  solutions. 


85 

A  very  useful  wash  for  the  treatment  of  conjunctivitis  is  made 
as  follows: 

Sulphate  of  zinc,  20  grains. 
Belladonna,  fld,  ext.,  2  drams. 
Water,  3^2  ounces. 
Apply  twice  a  day. 

Camphor,  gum. — Antispasmodic  and  antiseptic.     Dose,  1  to  3 
drams.     A  very  good  remedy  for  diarrhea  is  made  as  follows: 
Camphor,  gum,  1  dram. 
Opium,  powdered,  1  dram. 
Make  into  a  ball;  give,  and  rex)3at  every  two  hours  until  relief 
is  afforded. 

Externally  it  is  useful  for  sprains,  combined  with  other  medi- 
cines, forming  what  is  known  as  the  soap  liniment. 
Castile  soap,  10  parts. 
Camphor.  5  parts. 
Alcohol,  TO  parts. 
Water.  15  parts. 
To  be  used  only  externally  as  a  mild,  stimulating,  anodyne 
liniment. 

Cannabis  indica  (Indian hemp). — Antispasmodic  and  anodyne. 
Its  main  use  is  in  colic,  as  it  relieves  pain  without  causing  con- 
stipation.    Dose,  2  to  4  drams. 

Cannabis  indica,  2  to  4  drams. 
Ammonia,  aromatic  spirits,  1  ounce. 
Water,  1  pint. 
Give  at  one  dose  and  repeat  in  three-quarters  of  an  hour  if 
necessary.     This  is  an  excellent  remedy  for  colic. 

Cantharidss,  powdered  (Spanish  fLy). — Used  only  for  its  blis- 
tering effect.  A  most  excellent  blister  to  be  kept  in  stock  is  made 
in  the  following  manner:  Take  o  ounces  of  powdered  cantharides 
and  1  pound  of  cosmoline,  put  them  into  a  vessel  made  like  a 
glue  pot  (water  bath)  and  let  them  heat  for  about  one  hour;  stir 
continuously  while  cooling.  Small  quantities  can  be  made  by 
rubbing  with  a  spatula  the  cantharides  and  cosmoline  together 
on  a  piece  of  glass. 

Capsicum  (cayenne  pepper). — Stomachic  and  carminative. 
Given  internally  in  combination  with  gentian  and  ginger  in  mild 
cases  of  indigestion  attended  with  flatulency.     Dose,  ^2  to  1  dram. 


86 

Charcoal. — A  mild  antiseptic  and  deodorant.  It  is  very  good 
mixed  with  poultices,  especially  for  wounds  and  sores  that  have 
a  foul  odor.  It  may  be  dusted  on  the  surface  of  foul  sores  and 
will  soon  destroy  the  odor.  Internally  it  is  given  in  doses  of  2  to 
4  drams,  and  is  useful  in  chronic  indigestion  and  diarrhea. 

Copper  snlpliaie  (blue  vitriol,  bluestone). — Used  principally  as 
a  local  stimulant  and  antisex)tic  for  thrush  and  canker.  A  good 
remedy  for  thrush  or  canker  is  equal  parts  of  sulphate  of  copper 
(powdered) ,  sulphate  of  zinc,  and  sulphate  of  iron.  This  powder 
can  be  api)lied  two  or  three  times  daily. 

Collodion. — When  painted  over  wounds  it  forms  an  air-tight 
coating  and  in  small  wounds  keeps  the  edges  in  a  fixed  position 
and  promotes  healing.  Especially  valuable  when  applied  to 
punctured  wounds  of  joints. 

Chloroform.  — Antispasmodic ,  stimulant,  and  anodyne.  Useful 
in  colics.     Dose,  1  to  2  drams,  well  diluted. 

Anse-thesia  is  its  principal  action — the  meaning  of  which  is 
"  to  produce  unconsciousness;"  literally,  "  loss  of  sensation."  It 
may  ba  added  to  anodyne  liniments. 

Cosuioluis. — A  by-product  of  pBtroleam.  Used  as  a  base  for 
ointments. 

Creolin. — A  nonpoisonous,  nonirritating  antiseptic  and  parasit- 
icide. It  is  one  of  the  best  medicines  that  we  have:  not  only  as 
a  valuabl3  application  for  all  wounds,  but  it  will  destroy  all  para- 
sites with  which  the  animal  may  become  infestsd. 

Used  in  solution  or  ointment  in  a  strength  of  1  to  50  down  to  1 
to  20.     In  mange  it  is  used  in  a  5  per  cent  solution. 

Digitalis,  fluid  extract  of. — A  very  dangerous  poison,  and 
should  not  b3  administered  internally. 

Ether,  nitrous  (sweet  spirits  niter) . — Stimulant,  antispasmodic, 
diuretic,  and  diaphoretic.     Dose,  1  to  2  ounces. 

A  very  useful  stimulant  in  all  cases  of  weakness  of  the  heart's 
action.  For  its  stimulating  and  antispasmodic  actions  it  is  given 
in  colics  combined  with  b3lladonna  or  cannabis  indica. 

Ether,  sulphuric. — Stimulant,  antispasmodic,  and  carminative. 
Dose,  1  to  2  ounces  well  diluted. 

Combined  with  belladonna  or  cannabis  indica  its  antispasmodic 
action  is  increased. 


87 

Fenv greek. — Aromatic  and  stomachic.  Sometimes  combined 
with  tonics  to  disguise  thsir  odors.     Dose,  1  ounce. 

Flaxseed  meal. — Us3d  for  poultices. 

Gentian. — Stomachic  and  bitter  tonic.  It  improves  the  appe- 
tite and  general  tone.     Doss,  %  to  1  onnce. 

Ginger.— ^to-m.Q.ch.\c  and  carminative.  Combined  with  purga- 
tives it  diminishes  their  tendency  to  giipe,  and  also  somewhat 
hastens  their  action.     Dose.  ^o.  to  1.  ounce. 

Glycerin. — Used  as  a  base  in  the  same  manner  as  Cosmoline. 

Iodine. — Given  internally  in  diabetes  insipidus.  Dose.  20 
grains  to  1  dram,  to  be  repeated  three  times  daily  until  the  quan- 
tity of  urine  is  lessened.  Best  given  made  into  a  ball  with  flax- 
seed meal. 

Externally  it  is  used  for  the  removal  of  swellings,  curbs,  en- 
larged tendons,  etc.  It  is  also  a  useful  stimulant  for  indolent 
sores  and  ulcers.  A  good  solution  for  external  use  is  made  as 
follows: 

Iodine.  1  ounce. 

Iodide  of  potassium,  3  ounces. 

Water,  1  jDint. 

To  be  applied  several  times  daily. 

Jo(io/or?«.— Antiseptic.  Used  externally  as  a  dry  dressing, 
either  alone  or  combined  with  other  drugs,  such  as  boracic  acid, 
acetanilid.  etc. 

Iron,  tincture  of  the  chloride  of. — A  valuable  tonic,  building 
up  the  system  and  enriching  the  blood.  Useful  in  purpura  and 
in  convalescence  after  all  debilitating  diseases.  Dose,  y^  to  1 
ounce,  well  diluted. 

Used  externally  as  an  astringent  and  stj-ptic  in  serious  hemor- 
rhages. A  small  piece  of  cotton  saturated  with  it  and  applied  to 
the  bleeding  pait  is  the  proper  mode  of  application. 

Iron,  sulphate  of. — Tonic.  It  increases  the  appetite  and  builds 
up  the  system.  Dose,  %  to  1  dram.  Frequently  combined  with 
nux  vomica,  etc. 

Lanolin. — Used  as  a  base  for  ointments  in  the  same  manner 
as  cosmoline. 

Lead,  acetate  of. — Astringent  and  a  valuable  remedy  for  reliev- 
ing local  pain.  Used  externally  to  cool  and  relieve  sprains,  in- 
flamed tendons  and  joints,  and  to  relieve  itching  skin  diseases. 


88 

Used  in  the  form  of  powder,  ointment,  or  dissolved  in  20  to  40 
parts  of  water. 

The  white  lotion  is  made  as  follows: 

Acetate  of  lead,  1  ounce. 
Sulphate  of  zinc,  1  ounce. 
Water,  1  quart. 
Shake  well  and  apply  several  times  daily. 

The  lotion  is  a  very  valuable  remedy  for  the  relief  of  all  exter- 
nal diseases  accompanied  by  heating  and  swelling. 

Lime,  chloride  o/.— This  is  the  best  disinfectant  that  we  have. 
Four  ounces  to  1  gallon  of  water  is  the  proper  strength.  This 
solution  should  be  used  as  a  wash  for  the  disinfection  of  stables. 
A  small  portion  of  choride  of  lime  placed  around  in  stables  will 
destroy  the  odor  arising  from  decomposed  urine. 

Lunar  caustic. — Used  for  the  removal  of  warts  and  proud  flesh. 
Four  grains  to  one  ounce  of  water  make  a  good  application  for 
the  removal  of  the  cloudiness  remaining  after  an  attack  of  oph- 
thalmia. 

Mercury,  bichloride  of  (corrosive  sublimate;  antiseptic  tab- 
lets).—Dissolved  in  water  this  is  the  most  energetic  antiseptic. 
One  to  1 ,000  solution  is  the  proper  strength  to  use  in  the  treat- 
m.ent  of  all  wounds. 

Mercury,  mild  chloride  (calomel.)— Internally,  a  cholagogue. 
Dose,  3^  to  2  drams.  It  is  not  used  alone,  but  is  combined  with 
aloes. 

Calomel,  1  dram. 
Barbados  aloes,  4  drams. 
Ginger,  1  dram. 
Water  to  make  a  ball. 
Externally,  antiseptic  and  drying.     Used  in  the  treatment  of 
ulcers  and  thrush. 

Mercury,   biniodide.—JJ ssd  as  a  blister;   its  eft'ects  are  very 
psnetrating.      Us3:l  principilly  in  the  treatment  of    spavins, 
splints,  sidebones,  ringbones,  and  all  bony  enlargements. 
Biniodide  of  mercury,  1  part. 
Cosmoline,  G  to  8  parts. 
Mix  and  rub  together  thoroughly.  ^^^ 

Apply  with  friction  for  at  least  ten  minutes. 


89 

Nux  vomica,  powdered. — A  nerve  stimulant  and  tonic.  Dose. 
%  to  1  dram.  It  is  a  very  useful  tonic  in  building  up  the  tone  of 
the  system  in  convalesence  from  debilitating  diseases  and  general 
lack  of  ^^tality.  Generally  given  in  combination  with  gentian, 
iron,  and  other  tonics. 

Oil,  Unseed. — Laxative  (mild  purgative).  Dose,  %  to  1  quart. 
Do  not  use  boiled  oil. 

Oil,  olive. — Generally  used  as  a  vehicle  in  making  liniments 
and  oily  solutions. 

Oil  of  tar  (pine  tar). — Useful  for  plugging  holes  and  cavities 
in  the  hoof  after  all  suppuration  has  ceased. 

Oil  of  turpentine. — Diuretic,  stimulant,  antispasmodic,  anthel- 
mintic and  expectorant.     Dose,  1  to  3  ounces  diluted  with  oil. 

Externally  it  is  used  in  the  formation  of  liniments  (see  Solu- 
tion of  Ammonia) . 

Opium,  tincture  of  (laudanum). — Anod\Tie.  antispasmodic. 
Checks  secretion  of  mucous  membrane.  On  account  of  these 
properties  it  is  a  valuable  remedy  in  diarrhea  and  dysentery. 

Very  useful  in  the  treatment  of  all  abdominal  pain  where  there 
are  no  symptoms  of  constipation,  but  as  a  rule  belladonna  and 
cannabis  indica  are  preferable.     Dose,  1  to  2  ounces. 

Externally,  opium  tincture  is  used  to  relieve  pain  of  sprains 
and  briiises. 

A  very  good  anodyne  lotion  is  made  as  follows: 
Opium  tincture,  4  ounces. 
Acetate  of  lead,  1  ounce. 
Water  to  make  1  quart. 

Apply  every  few  hours. 

Opium,  poii'dered. — Not  used  externally.  It  is  used  internally 
for  the  same  purpose  as  the  tincture.     Dose,  y^  to  2  drams. 

Potassium  bromide. — Nerve  sedative.  Dose,  3^  to  2  ounces. 
In  tetanus  this  medicine  can  be  given  in  large  doses. 

Potassium  rritrate  (saltpeter). — Alterative,  febrifuge,  and  diu- 
retic. Dose,  1  to  4  drams.  In  the  treatment  of  laminitis  the 
dose  is  2  to  4  ounces,  repeated  three  times  a  day.  Externally  it 
makes  a  good  cooling  lotion: 

Nitrate  potassium  (saltpeter),  5  ounces. 
Chloride  of  ammonia,  5  ounces. 
Wa^   ^,16  ounces. 

Mix  and  Keep  the  affected  parts  saturated  w^th  this  lotion. 

5829—7 


90 

Internally,  saltpeter  is  a  most  excellent  medicine  in  the  treat- 
ment of  catarrhal  and  febrile  diseases.  It  is  also  useful  in  the 
treatment  of  swollen  legs. 

Potassium  iodide. — Alterative,  diuretic,  and  expectorant.  Dose, 
2  to  4  drams.  It  is  given  to  promote  absorption  of  enlargements, 
such  as  enlarged  glands  in  lymphangitis,  and  in  partial  paralysis 
resulting  from  injury  to  the  brain  or  spinal  cord. 

For  such  purposes  full  doses  are  given  twice  a  day  for  two 
weeks. 

Potassium  permanganate. — Disinfectant  and  deodorant.  Use- 
ful for  the  removal  of  foul  odors  arising  from  unhealthy  wounds; 
also  for  cleaning  hands  and  instruments.  From  1  to  4  drams, 
water  1  pint,  is  the  proper  strength  of  the  solution  for  use. 

Quinine,  sidphate  of. — Tonic,  stomachic,  antiseptic,  and  mild 
febrifuge.  Dose,  K  to  1  dram,  repeated  three  times  a  day.  It  is 
given  in  all  febrile  and  debilitating  diseases.  Combined  with 
sulphate  of  iron  it  is  very  useful  in  purpura.  In  influenza  and 
pneumonia  it  is  generally  combined  with  gentian  and  nitrate  of 
potash,  made  into  powders  in  the  following  proportions: 

Quinine  sulphate,  1  ounce. 
Gentian,  3  ounces. 

Make  twelve  powders  and  give  three  times  a  day. 

>S'a?o7.— Antiseptic  and  antirheumatic.  Used  chiefly  in  rheum- 
atism. Dose,  2  to  4  drams,  three  times  a  day.  Also  used  extern- 
ally for  its  antiseptic  properties. 

Sodium  t»«'car5o««fe.— Carminative,  stomachic,  relieves  acidity 
of  the  stomach.  Dose,  1  to  2  drams.  This  is  an  excellent  medi- 
cine in  chronic  indigestion  and  flatulency. 

>S^«7p/iiM\— Parasiticide.  This  medicine  may  be  used  for  the 
treatment  of  mange,  but  it  is  inferior  to  creolin  or  carbolic  acid. 

Witch-hazel.— A  cooling  astringent  wash,  very  useful  when 
combined  with  other  medicines  in  the  form  of  liniments. 

Zinc  s?//p/iafe.— Externally  it  is  much  used  as  a  stimulant  and 
astringent  for  wounds,  foul  ulcers,  etc.  It  is  an  excellent  remedy 
for  the  treatment  of  thrush  and  canker. 

Sulphate  of  zinc  .  _  ) 

Sulphate  of  copper  -  Equal  parts. 

Sulphate  of  iron  . .  ) 


91 

Zinc  oxide. — Antiseptic,     Used  either  as  a  dry  powder  dusted 
on  the  wounds  or  can  be  made  into  an  ointment  with  lanolin: 
Zinc  oxide,  1  part. 
Lanolin,  6  parts. 
Zinc  chloride. — An  irritant  and  corrosive  poison,  never  given 
internally.     Externally  it  is  applied  as  a  stimulant,  astringent, 
caustic,  and  parasiticide.     It  is  also  used  as  an  antiseptic,  disin- 
fectant, and  deodorant.     From  2  to  4  drams  to  the  pint  of  water 
are  used  for  ordinary  antist-ptic  ptifffo's?*.'^^'' 


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